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The teenage years can be a challenging time for parents and carers as children go through physical, emotional and social changes on their journey to adulthood. However, it is important to maintain strong bonds during the teen years, as this can benefit the well-being and mental health for both teens and their caregivers. This article provides ten effective tips to help UK parents and foster carers build stronger connections with their teenagers.
- Show Interest in Their Interests
Make an effort to engage with your teen’s hobbies, music tastes, favorite sports team, or other interests. Even if it’s not something you would normally do, participate when possible to show you care about what matters to them.
- Communicate Respectfully
Practice active listening without judgment when your teen shares thoughts, ideas or problems. Respect that they are entitled to their own feelings and opinions, even if you disagree. Maintain a calm, understanding tone even when challenges arise. This models good communication.
- Offer Appropriate Independence
Allow your teen to have more choices over things like clothes, hairstyles or room décor. Build trust by giving them age-appropriate freedoms to develop responsibility and self-identity. However, maintain agreed boundaries for health and safety.
- Share Family History
Teens often enjoy hearing stories about what their parents or grandparents were like at their age. Look at old photos and discuss interesting family history, like holidays, old neighbourhood tales or military service. This helps them feel connected.
- Plan One-on-One Time
Make regular dedicated time to do an activity with just your teen, without distractions from siblings or devices. Ideas include cooking, exercising, playing games, grabbing coffee or watching a film. It gives you all a chance to talk and enjoy each other’s company.
- Ask Their Opinions
Include your teen in appropriate family decisions like where to go on holiday or what car to buy. Ask what they think about current events or ethical dilemmas. Show you value their input and perspective.
- Create Family Traditions
Have recurring meaningful experiences like holiday meals, volcano baking sessions or volunteering events. Traditions build fond memories and a sense of identity. Make sure to involve teens in planning.
- Laugh Together
Another great tip to help you connect with your teenager or a teen from a fostering agency like Active Care Solutions is to laugh together. Humor can relieve stress and bring people together. Share funny YouTube videos, tell hilarious childhood stories or use inside jokes. Laughter triggers positive emotions that strengthen connections.
- Offer Your Time and Presence
If you notice a teen seems worried or upset, calmly be present and available to listen without demanding they talk. Say you are available for a hug or reassurance if they need support. Don’t take it personally if they decline.
- Show Them You Care
Even if your teen doesn’t say it back, make sure you regularly express love verbally. Teens still need reassurance they are cared for, although their behavior may not always show it. Add a hug, high-five or fist bump too.
The teenage years can throw up challenges, but taking time to actively build stronger bonds protects mental health on both sides. Consistently showing care, respect and affection – even when teens seem reluctant – provides vital support they will benefit from both now and later in life.
