Parents, Get in the Arena
Here’s some tough-love parenting advice for parents of tweens and teens: our kids need us to stop talking and start doing.
Claps for parents who actually talk to their kids, as opposed to talking AT them or leaving them to their own devices — Apple, Android, or otherwise. But talking isn’t always enough.
An essential component of parenting is instilling our young with wisdom that will sustain them in adulthood. This wisdom comes in all forms, including verbal instruction. But can you imagine learning how to fish without actually seeing someone string a line, bait a hook, cast, set, reel and catch? Sometimes we need to see in order to do.
Observational learning is paramount in early childhood as children figure out how to navigate the world by watching those around them. I would argue that it is equally critical in adolescence as teens learn increasingly complex skills. How do I interact with someone I have a crush on? How do I manage my time when I have a ton of homework and other activities? How do I communicate assertively with someone who is being a jerk?
Teens may not ask parents these questions directly, but trust that they are watching us. They may “ewwww” whenever parents display affection and they may roll their eyes at the incessant use of “please” and “thank you” in everyday interactions, but it is these things…
