Teens

Parents are triggered by the mere fact their kid is a teenager. A lot of it is fear that creates this triggered response. So, when your teenager does something you're not a fan of, or they ask for something you're totally against, instead of responding rationally and with a conversation, we react. Reactions create emotional tension, and emotional tension creates familial nuclear wars. It just does!

Unfortunately, we've been here before, and while my "momma bear" wanted so badly to kick in, aiming to protect my daughter's heart, I also realized she needed freedom. Freedom from my meddling and control and the chance to work it out.

Teens and young adults are facing challenges that previous generations did not confront as they move from childhood to adulthood, the study says, noting that young people are growing up “in a world that’s overwhelmed by more digital access than their minds can process.”

There are so many things I know now, that I wish I could have known then. Here are 10 things I wish every girl could hear.

All my pampering and kid-pleasing needs to go, not only for my sake—but for the sake of my children. But how can I alter the way I parent, after so many years?

Remember that under that tough exterior, they really do love you, and this season will pass. Hang on to those small glimmers of hope when they offer an unexpected hug or say thank you out of the blue. Keep praying for and over them, building them up with your annoying (as they see it) comments. Stay calm and love them anyway.

Including them doesn’t mean you’re lessening your authority, but you are teaching them self-discipline and determination. Teaching them the value of face-to-face conversations, respect by uninterrupted socialization, and good old-fashioned reading is never a bad thing, but including your child in that process of creating boundaries is even better.

Teenagers crave being heard and understood while navigating school, friends and other relationships and additional external pressures. Here are four things to keep in mind when your teen snaps at you.

The truth of the matter is that keeping romance alive while raising teens isn’t easy. It can be some of the most challenging years of a marriage! Learning how to be lovers again and rekindle the romance without losing your mind during these years may seem downright impossible. But it can be done. And, yes, it is totally possible!

If your kids don't want to go to church, should you force them or let them make that decision themselves? What is best for their relationship with God in the long run?

Christian mothers and fathers seek to respond to their teenage children in ways that communicate love and faith. But how? Here are eight ways to handle your teen’s mood swings with grace.

Sometimes we hide our sin from our family because we think that confessing them will damage our relationship. In fact, the opposite is true.

Being a teenager is hard. Being a Christian teenager is harder. We are walking through turbulent years, carrying pressing burdens, feelings, temptations, desires and fears. As teenagers, we wrestle with living through growing pains—as Christ-followers, with living out our faith.

As a mother of a fourteen-year-old and a twelve –year-old, my role as their mother is changing. No longer am I the main person to speak into their lives. They now tell their friends more about what is new in their lives than what they tell me. They want to spend more time with their friends and less time with me. This is tough on me as I’m struggling to figure out my role in their lives. But there are still ways I can have a presence in their lives without being the main voice.

Heading into summer and book reading may not be on every teenage girl’s radar. But it’s always smart to have a list ready just in case there’s a moment when they want to lay out in the sun with a paperback or curl up with their Kindle. So what books are out there right now that are appropriate for your teenage daughter and reinforce their faith?

The Lord warns us that fear that results in worry is not from Him, it is from the adversary. Yes, fear is part of the human condition, but as part of the Body of Christ, we are called to faith over fear. 

As such, adults should look to maximize opportunities to shepherd them–and how they use their time over the summer is one such area that could benefit from adult guidance.

I suspect my teenage daughter is using drugs. Her behavior has changed drastically. She is unmotivated, rebellious, and secretive. How can I know for sure, and what can I do about it?

It empowers children to make wise choices, encourages them to seek guidance from trusted sources, and reinforces the importance of aligning their actions with their faith.

As parents, we must recognize that our influence extends beyond mere provision and discipline; it profoundly shapes our children's emotional well-being, decision-making abilities, and moral compass.