The Ten Commandments of Parenting Teenagers:
- You are always right. And if you’re not always right, it’s because your parents messed you up when you were a kid
- Praise in public, criticize in private. Most people do the opposite. Don’t be like most people.
- Yes, you do have to tell them a thousand times. Stop counting and get over it. Now tell them again.
- Your teens are smarter than you think, and stronger than you realize. So don’t go acting all superior just because you have wrinkles and credit cards.
- Remember they are growing up a lot faster than you did. Advantage, you. Growing up fast is way overrated.
- When they really screw up is when they need you most. If your parents comforted you in those situations, remember how good it felt? And if they didn’t, remember how much worse it made you feel?
- Their defeats are 50 percent yours, but their victories are 100 percent theirs. Not exactly sure what that means, it showed up in a fortune cookie. But it feels true.
- Remind yourself, they won’t be teenagers forever. Someday you will look back on these years and laugh. Definitely. Probably. Maybe.
- Love them enough to let them hate you. Don’t be their friend. Be their parent. Friends come and go. You’re all-in.
- Whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you bleed internally.
- (Bonus Commandment) You can do this.
If you keep these commandments in mind, you’ll be much better equipped to tread through the dangerous road of teen-hood. These rules will enable you to survive the tough times filled with defiance, rebellion, and constant eye-rolling. Like anything else from working a remote control to getting through airport security, familiarizing yourself with the rules will makes things run much smoother (although I still manage to carry-on some forbidden article like one too many ounces of liquid, that sends me straight to the frisking area). Print out this list of commandments and keep it close. Stick it on the fridge for battles at home. Keep it in your wallet to for troubles on-the-go. And remember, if you can manage to get through this difficult stage of raising teenagers, in a few years when they move out, you’ll be rewarded with a lovely spare bedroom to convert into your dream room!
