Drawing the Line Between Friend and Parent With Teenage Girls
Written by Angie Woodward, Posted on , in Section Essential Reads
Troubled girls who are raised in strict "helicopter" households quite often do not learn to practice making important decisions for themselves. This leaves them open to future mistreatment, abuse and manipulation by people who will take advantage of them. These children end up needing to be told what to do and how to act. Ultra-strict parents often lose all control of their teenage girl as she begins to rebel as soon as she has a way out of the house.
On the other hand, very lenient parents, quite often allow dangerous situations and illegal behaviors at home, having low expectations of their teen’s academic and social development, they are under the belief that their child will do it anyway so they might as well do it at home. This belief system usually points the teen in the wrong direction, putting a low priority on college and life preparation. Where does a parent draw the line between friend and parent with troubled girls?
Parents Can Be Both a Friend and an Appropriate Disciplinarian
With the right combination of skills, parents can be both a friend to their teenage daughter and an appropriate disciplinarian. The end result of a parent who sets limits while at the same time playing with and conversing with and sharing life with their teen is what we call companion parenting. Kids respect parents who are open and honest with them, who admit their mistakes and make amends for them, and who work with the child to help her reach her goals.
A companion parent develops the kind of relationship with their teen that allows the parent to be the person their child turns to by choice when things get difficult, and that can weather the hard times in life. A balance between the two parenting approaches, allow teens to make some decisions that may be mistakes in order to learn from them but setting complete limits where major harm could come to the teen. A companion parent should share interests with their teen and should r
A companion parent should share interests with their teen and should respect their child’s complete self-government with regard to issues like hair, style, clothes, as long as it does not interfere with safety and the long term goal.
At Trinity Teen Solutions, we offer support and guidance in finding solutions for your child’s bad behavior and get real results. Call our Admissions Specialist at 855-631-4424, today. Trinity Teen Solutions is a faith-based residential treatment center for troubled girls. We believe that all teens are capable of excellent academics, preparing for the future and becoming responsible adults.
Education is a key component and we help students improve their academic status through our biblically based educational programs. Our therapeutic services include on-site family counseling and animal assisted psychotherapy, giving parents hope while keeping them well informed of their daughter’s progress. For more information, call 855-631-4424.
