Early Adolescence: Teens Need Parents
Today's Scripture
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4 NIV
Thoughts for Today
Be your teen's friend by talking with him, not at him. Respect his opinions. But always remember that you are the parent. Your teen needs you to be his parent at this stage of his growth perhaps more than at any other. He needs the security of boundaries and restrictions even though he may push against them.
By this age, spanking your child has lost its effectiveness. Withhold privileges if rules are broken, or offer positive rewards for good behavior. Your teenager will likely want to go his own way, but you continue to be responsible for setting appropriate limits and enforcing them.
Consider this …
Continue to assign household responsibilities. Your teenager is a part of your family, and it is not too much to ask him or her to help with chores.
You must make the decisions about dress codes, hairstyles, jewelry, and dating. Try to make these decisions with, rather than for, your teen.
Continue to teach your teen about drug and alcohol abuse. Monitor the music he listens to. Know the sites your teen is visiting on the Internet. As your teenager's level of responsibility increases, allow him more freedoms, more choices.
Ask yourself if there are any areas in your life in which you would have to say, "Do as I say, and not as I do?" Teenagers are very conscious of hypocrisy. The most effective training for your young adolescent is by example.
Prayer
Father, help me to bring up my child in the discipline and instruction that comes from you. Help me to be a godly example. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Godly Parenting: Parenting Skills at Each Stage of Growth by N. Elizabeth Holland, M.D. This study addresses parenting skills from the time of conception until the child has reached adulthood. It suggests methods for raising healthy, godly children in an increasingly secular society. Specific emphasis is placed on communication and teaching skills, discipline, protection and sexual issues at each age. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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