Her parents guided her into therapy, where she learned to be more accepting of herself, more independent, and best of all, a happier teen. It's tough for teens to handle the emotional, social and physical changes of adolescence, and to sort out the good from the bad in television, movies, music, the Internet, and peers. The authors of a new book on parenting say love, laughter, and limits are the keys. Adolescence is a process, not an end product or even a stop along the highway of life.
Kids pass through it at high speed.
Putting love first A loving relationship can build your teen's self-esteem, a better feeling of security, and teach him or her how to build strong relationships with others outside of the home. Maintaining a positive attitude with teens is important, since they are highly aware of their imperfections, Elias says. We have to recognize that the world looks different from their eyes. What they need most from us is a sense of encouragement,'' says Elias in a healthAtoZ interview. Don't reserve love only for when you think your teen deserves it for doing something that pleases you, such as getting good grades or cleaning his or her room.