You may think that those first few weeks of surviving on no sleep are the toughest, but parents of teens may tell you otherwise. The teenage years can be turbulent and trying, but you can take some comfort from the fact that every parent faces challenges. If you have young kids and you’re prepping for the future or the teenage years are in full swing, here are some common obstacles every parent encounters.
Sleepless nights
You may think that sleepless nights are a thing of the past when you have older children, but many parents endure nights of tossing and turning. This isn’t because they’ve got a baby waking every few hours for a feed, but often because of anxiety or worry. If you’ve got kids who are out late, you’re worried about tests and examinations, or you have concerns about how happy your child is or how they’re getting on at high school, this can all contribute to disturbed nights. If you do have things on your mind, try talking to your child. It’s natural for parents to worry, and you probably won’t ever stop feeling this way, even when your kids are fully grown, and they’ve got children of their own, but communication is key. If you can get things off your chest, and encourage your kids to do the same, this will be beneficial for both parties.
Learning to drive
There are few things that are scarier for a parent than their child going out onto the roads for the first time. Road traffic accidents are unnervingly common, and it’s very hard to stay calm and relaxed when you’ve got a learner driver in the family. If your teen is preparing to start classes, help them out with their study, look for instructors with an excellent reputation, and be prepared to put in some hours in the passenger seat. The first step is to find a driving school to help get your license. You can then focus on reading up on the rules of the road and practising in your spare time. As a parent, it’s hugely beneficial to give your children some tuition to enable them to develop their skills and improve their awareness of other drivers and potential hazards they may come across on the road. If you’re stressing, try and remember what it was like when you were learning to drive, and remember that it’s a fun experience for your kids that will give them a sense of freedom and independence.
Unpredictable moods
Most parents go through periods of time that are more difficult than others. At times, you may feel like you have the perfect relationship with your child, but that can quickly change without warning. Teenagers are notoriously unpredictable, due to hormonal changes, pressures at high school and external factors that may affect their mood or how they feel. Try and be patient, understand that in most cases, you’re not to blame, and offer a shoulder to cry on. If you fall out, make up as quickly as possible. Be there for your child, but give them the space they need to develop, grow and learn from their own experiences and the decisions they make.
Bullying
Bullying is often associated with the playground, but it’s not an issue that melts into thin air as soon as kids reach adolescence. It’s very common for teens to get bullied, and for parents, this can be heartbreaking. If you suspect that your teen is being bullied, try and approach the subject with them and encourage them to open up to you. Talk to their teachers and tutors and do everything you can to build up their confidence and ensure they feel valued and loved.
Moving away
As your child approaches their 20’s, they may be thinking about leaving home and taking a job or going to college. Leaving home is something every child will do at some stage, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to be prepared as a parent. If you’re feeling anxious or sad, remember that distance doesn’t have to separate you. You can talk on the phone, meet up frequently and catch up whenever you need to.
Parenting is no walk in the park. After every challenge comes a new one. You may think that you’re over the toughest times when your kids sleep through the night, or they’re excelling at school, but there’s always something to worry about. The teenage years can be challenging, but the lows make the highs even more special, and there are ways of muddling through and emerging the other side with a stronger, tighter bond.
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