Collaborative post
Parenting a teenager can be challenging at the best of times. That’s because their teenage years are a transitional period in a person’s life.
As they get older, teenagers have to face the realities of adulthood while still navigating the change from being a dependent child to an independent adult.
For parents, helping teenagers to navigate these changes can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are some practical tips to help you talk to your teenager about university and other future career options.
Improve Your Overall Parenting
Your teenager isn’t going to respect you or listen to any advice you give them if you’re not a supportive parent. So, before you consider talking to your teen about the future, you need to make sure that you are parenting them correctly. Learn about the best ways to parent teens well, so that you can ensure that they respect you and will be willing to listen to what you have to say.
Don’t Push Your Child Into A Specific Situation
As a supportive parent, we know that you want what’s best for your child, but that doesn’t mean that you know what that is. While you might be eager for your teen to go to university, they might not feel that this is the best option for them. They might have a different career path in mind that doesn’t require a degree, or they might not want to go to university yet. While you should guide and advise your teen, remember not to push them too hard onto a specific path.
Listen As Much As You Talk
As well as talking to your teenager, it’s important that you also listen to what they have to say. You can then try to understand their plans for the future, and them offer them advice that suits them. Every teenager is different, so you can’t give them all the same support. Learn how to actively listen, so that you can show your teen that you are committed to understanding them and giving them support that meets their needs.
Give Your Teen Access To The Resources They Need
It’s important that your teenager has access to everything they need to make an informed decision about their future. As such, you need to make sure that you help them to find the resources they need. These might be online guides, videos, or even access to people who can give them first-hand insight into what it’s like to work in a particular niche or attend a specific university. Help your child to identify and access the resources they need to feel well-informed about their future plans.
Every parent has been a teenager themselves, so it’s important that you try and understand the situation your teen faces and give them empathetic and supportive advice. These tips should help you to give your teen the guidance they need to make the right decisions and improve your overall relationship with them as they move from childhood to adult life.