Generational differences are real and we are together in this insurmountable parenting journey, It’s a difference of opinion and with love and a few compassionate gestures we can get through it together!! Below are a few strategies, to bridge the generational divide and stay connected with your teenager.
The Observation Deck
Current Perspectives for Researchers and Practitioners suggests that connection can begin with paying close attention to their likes and dislikes, their perspectives, their strengths and weaknesses and practising your listening skills. You would be surprised at how much we can learn about them just by observing the details.
Lack of Judgement.
Teenagers can often be hesitant to share details about their daily lives with their parents for fear of judgement. They are their person, and hearing them without judgement will enable them to process their emotions.
Build the Generational Gap
You can have conversations with your children about almost anything. From "What is the first thing on your bucket list" to "What are the most important values you would like to see in a friend?" Having regular conversations on multiple topics brings in an exchange of thoughts and ideas from varying generations, allowing them to become more empathetic and understanding towards each other.
Role modelling
Don’t worry that children never listen to you, worry that they are watching you. Being a parent makes you a role model. The majority of learning happens through mirroring. So, if you want your child to develop a habit, the best way for them to learn is to watch you.
Guide
The teenage years are typically a time when many adolescents feel lost in various aspects of their lives, such as career choices, new relationships, or religious beliefs. Due to this, many get into depression, anxiety, bad habits, drugs, etc. Guide and empower them allowing them to step into fear and learn from their mistakes. Empowerment leads to growth
Encourage Independence
As children grow into teenagers, they like to explore and do things by themselves. Of course, we can't give them the freedom to do everything, but step by step, allow them to push boundaries. This will slowly help them to adapt and equip themselves with the practicalities of life.
Transparency
Authenticity is a quality that is very important for a parent to inculcate. If a parent is authentic with what they think and what they believe, it creates a sense of vulnerability on both sides whereby it creates a safe space and builds trust and respect
Millennials
Children are the most adored people in any parent’s life. A few questions we all need to ask ourselves. Are we enabling our children to become future leaders or are we encouraging them to hide behind us and have a sense of entitlement? I ask myself every day, do I want my child to be like me or his dad or to be like “himself”? The answer I get is to set him free, show him a path, and then let him fall and learn. Let him be a teenager, but be his best friend who is there when he falls and needs a pat on his back. As parents, we always face a dilemma and a fear that our children will get hurt. But if they don’t get hurt they will think the world is perfect and we all know the world is not perfect. In the world of technology, we have forgotten the value of human relationships and the human touch. To display an emotion, we send an emoji, to pick up the phone and talk to someone is a pain, so a text or a WhatsApp will do.
I think it’s time to teach our children the value of sitting across a table and venting out pent-up emotions. Parents are the most important part of a child’s life as we are the ones who provide a foundation. If the foundation is weak the building crumples. Trust, responsibility, and emotions are key to raising individuals who will become future leaders who will have compassion for their workforce and the ability to focus inwards to bring about a change in the world. My son tells me every day, mom you are too practical you don’t have emotions I don’t want to be like you. And I turn around and tell him my job as a mother is not for you to like me, if you don’t like me is when I know that I am raising you right. It’s alright as parents to say “NO”. My teenager is a living example of this, he cannot get a yes from me on his timeline.
They are too used to an instant answer. Sorry, bud does not work. Let’s develop patience. We work and live in a global environment lets teach our children to accept people, grow an identity of their own, and have the belief in themselves that nothing in life is impossible. Have tunnel vision, have a focus, and let's together make this world a better place. Simon Sinek in his talk below talks about the millennials who suffer today because their parents gave them a sense of entitlement. Let’s take a moment to think this through so we can raise our youth to become successful leaders of tomorrow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hER0Qp6QJNU
For more information visit: www.genzandu.com
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