Ep.85 – 5 Mistakes Parents Make With Their Teens and Tweens Pt.1: Expecting The Worst
In episode 85 of the “Empowering Choices” podcast, titled “5 Mistakes Parents Make With Their Teens and Tweens Pt.1: Expecting The Worst,” hosts Joshua, Lucas, and Erik dive into common misconceptions and errors parents often make as their children transition into adolescence. The episode, a part of a new mini-series, addresses the pervasive dread many parents feel as their children approach the teenage years. Lucas points out, “We have ‘expecting the worst’ as our title here because…when my children become teenagers, it’s going to be horrible.” The hosts discuss how this negative anticipation is not mandatory. Erik shares stories from counseling sessions where parents and teens assume they must distance themselves from each other because that’s what society expects. “I had the parents and the child…and the parents thought, ‘He’s a teenager now. So he’s going to be rebellious and not want to be with us,'” Erik explains, highlighting the unnecessary acceptance of a self-fulfilling prophecy that estranges family members. Addressing the theme of the episode, Lucas and Erik emphasize the importance of maintaining communication and connection with children, regardless of their age. Erik recounts an impactful session where a young teen expressed sadness over believing he could no longer enjoy activities with his parents simply because he was now a teenager. This misconception was mirrored by his parents’ resignation to a supposedly inevitable rebellious phase. The counselors advocate for continued engagement in shared activities and open dialogue to prevent these baseless assumptions from taking root. “It’s amazing how when parents bring up, ‘Hey, do you want to go have lunch or go to a movie?’ a lot of kids are way on board with that,” Erik notes, stressing the significance of preserving bonds through shared interests and experiences. In conclusion, “5 Mistakes Parents Make With Their Teens and Tweens Pt.1” challenges the narrative that adolescence must be a time of conflict and separation. By dispelling myths and encouraging proactive parenting strategies, the episode serves as a guide for parents navigating the complex yet rewarding journey of raising teenagers and tweens.
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