Raising a teen in today’s society is not an easy task. Couple that with working a full-time job and parents are pulled in all directions. From the countless temptations and reckless behavior to the mood swings – it can make any parent feel overwhelmed with worry. Besides the stress it causes at home, it may lead to stress at work, too, as the office experiences a loss of productivity due to the parent’s absence and interruptions from personal calls, etc.
While there is no instruction manual for “parenting” and it may seem like an impossible task, there is hope. Organizations like DrugFreeAZ.org offer positive parenting tools and resources to help manage stress at home so it doesn’t overflow into other areas of life, like work. Here are a few tips for positive parenting tips for working parents:
Parenting Tip #1: Stay informed
With the demands from work, many parents often lose sight of what their teens are doing. Before it’s too late, make sure to be informed about what your child is doing and who they are doing it with. DrugFreeAZ.org offers tools and suggestions for ways to stay informed about your teen. Think your teen may be experimenting? Their Drug Guide offers signs of abuse and other resources for worried parents.
Parenting Tip #2: Start to Communicate
Communication is essential in any relationship, including that with your teen. Instead of turning away during stressful times at home, take this time to get closer to your teen. Ask questions and listen to your teen if they have any questions. During this time in their life they are facing new challenges. Keeping lines of communication open may help your teen steer away from reckless behavior.
Parenting Tip #3: Take a parenting class
DrugFreeAZ.org is just one organization in the Valley that offers advice and tools for parents. Through the use of videos, discussions and other activities, parents learn how to help their teen avoid peer-pressure and other risky behavior. Learn more about parenting workshops like Guiding Good Choices and more at www.drugfreeaz.org.
Parenting Tip #4: Join a support group
Parents you’re not alone. Many parents go through similar struggles raising their teens. To help ease stress at work and at home, get connected with other parents who understand what you’re going through. Hear from other parents on what parenting skills have or have not worked and brainstorm ideas for how to respond to a difficult teen.
Parenting Tip #5: Realize when enough is enough
When nothing seems to help ease the stress at home and your teen continues to act out or participate in risky activity, it may be time to seek professional help. DrugFreeAZ.org offers resources for parents dealing with troubled teens or those who may be dealing with substance abuse. While not the easiest approach to take, doing so can help alleviate stress at work and help get your teen back on the path to living a healthy, happy life.
Today’s teens face new and different pressures and challenges each day. As a parent, it’s important to remember to set time aside outside of work and everyday life to help guide your teen through those challenges and the difficulties their adolescent years may bring. Taking these steps towards positive parenting won’t just help ease stress at home and in the workplace but also help guide your teen towards a healthy, successful future.
