As a mom of teenagers, I feel qualified to share my opinion that, overall, raising children this age is not as difficult as juggling toddlers. But that doesn’t mean it is simple. Raising young adults presents some unique challenges. For example, I’m currently trying to balance how much privacy I give them versus how much supervision (digital and otherwise) they need. This is omnipresent I noticed them when they were little and I still wiped their butts several times a day.
And, understandably, some people real Trying to figure out how to parent teenagers. TikTok founder A. Michelle (@pinkyup_fitness), a personal trainer and mother of three, has a theory. It’s a bit harsh, but worth considering.
“You wonder why so many parents find parenting so difficult, that they have a huge disconnect with their children from the time they are about 11 years old, sometimes until they are 25? Sometimes forever? It’s because they are trying to raise someone they don’t know ,” she began.
“You don’t know this person, you don’t take the time, and you don’t think it’s important enough, to really get to know them as a person. And I don’t always mean psychologically. I mean them as a person. What are their friends called? Names? What are their friends’ hobbies? Can you go to any fast food chain and provide your child with their favorite foods and drinks and sauces they might want? Can you go to the mall and buy them a complete outfit? – Shirts, pants, sneakers, underwear? Can you actually do that and be at least 90% sure they will wear it? Do you know their first, second, third choice? ? Drinks and food? Do you know who this person is?
Many commenters see themselves in this situation, either as misunderstood teenagers or as parents struggling to actually make it. Know Who are their children?
“[Here] Here come the parents who like to say ‘we’re not one of their little friends,'” one commenter mused sarcastically.
“Facts! Sitting down and getting to know the kids. That’s all I wanted when I was young,” said another.
“It’s worrying that many parents definitely don’t see their children as people with their own minds,” a third commented. “Talk to your kids! Car rides are great for conversation. Use your time wisely!
look. this is not all On the parents. During the teenage years, our children become more and more interested in their friends and less and less interested in us. Sometimes they actively try to hide things from us, not because they want to play a prank or because they don’t love us. But they want a life apart from their families. This is completely normal! But it does mean parents need to work harder to figure out what makes them tick now.
