A child's teenage years are probably the most troublesome period for parents. With their bodies and emotions going through so many changes, teenagers have a rough time trying to make sense of it all.  Therefore, despite their assertions to the contrary, this is a time when they really do need their parents to provide guidance at every turn.

In order to better manage your teenager, try the following tips:

• Many teenagers interpret their parent's attempts at advice as a lecture that makes them out to be younger than they really are. Even though they are still children in your eyes, it may be better to speak to them as though they are adults.  Your doing this can go a long way in getting them to respect you and your rules.
• Teens can exhibit some very strange behaviour.  The problem is that so much of what they do seems strange to you, so how do you know what is normal and what is not? Ignoring something you find suspicious can lead to serious consequences that will see you blaming yourself for not having intervened. If you are concerned that they may be involved in any kind of dangerous or illegal activity, sit them down and speak to them calmly and respectfully.
• It is inevitable that at some point your rules are going to be broken and that you will have to discipline your teenage child. Taking away privileges is a fair method of getting them to behave but prevention is better than cure in this case. Make sure that your children know and understand what you expect of them i.e. your "rules", and what they can expect if they break these. If they make a mistake or break the rules, don't attack them but rather guide them calmly, explaining what they have done to offend. You should always implement some form of discipline for serious offences e.g. skipping class. If you are not strict enough, know that this behaviour will persist, and will probably get worse over time.
• Always be wary of your teens when they try to test their boundaries. Teens are smart and they know when best to try their luck if they wish to do something their parents do not want them to. You probably are tired and frustrated after arriving home from work and your teenager is smart enough to know that you may lack the energy to argue if they ask for something now.
• Parents often have great expectations of their children. Know your child and be realistic in your expectations. Encouragement can go a long way in helping them to believe in themselves and realise their potential.
• Never assume that your children can learn about the most important aspects of life from anyone other than yourself. Leaving teaching about drugs, sex and smoking to teachers do not have the same effect as educating your child about the facts and dangers of life yourself. There is a better chance that a teen will not do drugs, smoke or have sex too early if their own parents have spoken to and warned them against this.

Links:

• Parenting Teens Online
• By Parents For Parents
• Parenting Teens.com
• Mayoclinic
• Health 24