Friends - I want to
make a lot of friends, a family of friends, a nation of friends, a world
of friends. Univers is my friend.
Ten ways to Become Best Friends with Your
Teenagers
by: V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed.
Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today’s teens do want to
consider their parents as friends, even though they think we could never
understand the realities of their world. They are also interested in what it was
like being a teenager during the Stone Age. Life without cell phones or the
Internet must have been unimaginable!
So even with this interest, can parents and teens really become best friends
when competing with busy schedules, and raging hormones? The answer is a
resounding YES…and it is worth the effort!
What is important to understand is that both of you have to want the new
relationship on a long-term basis. You cannot appear to be going through the
motions, or acting like you are fitting this new relationship into your busy
schedules.
As a father, I knew I was a good provider. I put food on the table, a roof over
my teen’s head, and helped fund those great sales that saved me so much money.
As important as the father role is, it was improving the “Dad” role that allowed
me to develop a lasting relationship with my daughter. This also helped me with
my two stepsons. Essentially, I modified the communication and problem-solving
skills that I successfully used at work to improve my relationship with my
teens.
The following are the ten ways that will help you to become one of your
teenager’s best friends:
1. Define what trust meant to each of you. Agree that there will be no games or
hidden agendas—just honesty—to build the trust.
2. Agree that mutual trust is earned by exhibiting consistent behavior. The
amount of trust that you develop will be proportionate to the amount of freedom
that they will enjoy.
3. Anything that is discussed with you must be kept in the strictest of
confidence. This will help reinforce the trust.
4. Talk to them as adults while remembering that they are still kids. This
allows for flexibility during those trying adolescent years.
5. Become an attentive listener. Multitasking may be necessary at work, however
it will make you appear distracted when discussing something important with your
teenager. Learn to focus.
6. Ask the right questions without appearing to interrogate them. It is
important that they not fear coming to you to discuss what is important to them.
It is equally important that they feel that you will take the time to understand
what they are trying to communicate.
7. Do not judge them for their actions or ever say, “I told you so! This helps
in having them continue to come to you to discuss topics, and encourages them to
do things better the next time.
8. When helping them with problem solving, discuss the desired outcomes first,
and what they need to do to resolve their problem. Then allow them to
proactively make their own decisions based upon the facts rather than reacting
to their emotions.
9. Set guidelines instead of making rules for them to follow. They should have
input into the guidelines, and then be expected to follow them. They will
perceive this as fair and in their best interests.
10. “Hang out” together as oppose to just spending time together. Remember that
there is a difference between motion and productivity, so make your time
together interactive. For example, if you go to a movie, then go for an ice
cream and discuss the movie. Or play some “one on one” games or sports. Do what
best friends do!
If you want to be a better parent, don’t forget the child within you. All too
often, we get so wrapped up in being an adult that we forget how to have fun and
enjoy life. I found that by using my imagination, I rekindled my creativity, and
this made me an “okay guy” for my teenagers to hang out with.
About The Author
V. Michael Santoro M. Ed. coauthored, "Realizing the Power of Love," How a
father and teenage daughter became best friends...and how you can too, with his
teenage daughter Jennifer S. Santoro. For more information, a free e-zine and
more free articles, visit their Web site at
http://www.dads-daughters.com .
vmti2003@yahoo.com
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