Page 35 - Intra Muros September 2023

TODAY’S CHILD

example, your teen no longer wants to Teens who spend too much time on Sometimes a teen may know more than
compete at athletics. Rather than letting their phones or tablet screens become they are letting on, but their information
them stop altogether, get them to commit moody and edgy. Open-ended limits is often incorrect. They may be put in a
to practising and exercising daily regardless lead to problems, so set limits where position that forces them to make adult
of whether or not they want to be possible. Help your child to use their decisions sooner than they should even
competitive. Follow as normal a schedule time onscreen wisely and concisely. without the know-how. Make it easy for
as possible. If you used to do family dinners, Help them to regard the content they them to want to turn to you for clarity
retain family dinners. read online with a critical eye and not and support.
to accept what’s written on social
Furthermore, try to maintain household platforms as the truth – often, it isn’t. Parenting isn’t easy. You raise your child
rules and discipline as these provide Also, take the opportunity to teach in the hope that they will be functional
children with security. It is fine to let your teen to use their online time members of society, but there are no
your teens be more independent as they purposefully. guarantees. Expect your teen to make
become more responsible with age, but do • Build your relationship with them: mistakes and know that these mistakes do
not abandon rules and consequences just Do this by focusing on anything but not reflect on poor parenting – because
because they are too difficult to enforce a problem. Watch a movie together, poor (or good) parenting is reflected in
with a teen or because you believe your bake, do a puzzle – build your how the parent responds at the time of
teen won’t follow them. This is precisely connection around benign things. the mistake. Being a parent requires you
the time that follow-through is essential. to be patient, understanding, calm and
6. Be honest and caring honest with your teen, so they can learn
5. When you cannot reason with Honesty and encouragement are very from their mistakes.
them important when parenting a child. The world
At these times, remember to guard your is a very different place from when we grew Despite your best attempts to protect
mental health. This is because adolescence up, and our children are being exposed to your child, you can’t shield them from
can be as overwhelming for you as for much more at a much younger age. The everything. Rather, have the goal of
your child. There will be times when the navigation of knowledge is hard because raising a resilient individual, so they
youngster is more interested in being our children are receiving information from can bounce back after a problem, big
offensive than in making progress, times multiple and often conflicting sources. They or small, and grow into well-rounded
when whatever you try doesn’t work, times rely on us for the truth. adults.
when your teen won’t talk or be reasonable
– and won’t listen.

If you’re unsure of how to proceed because
things are out of control, go back to the
basics. Tick the boxes for a few days and
your teen will probably reboot, at which
point some form of normality can return
and problems can be tackled.

• Exercise: Done daily, or every second o Marital, Couples & Family Therapy
day, exercise will make your teenager
o Counselling Children, Adolescents & Adults
happier, even if they complain. It
will probably make you happier, too. o “Teen” Challenges
Exercise affects mood, energy levels,
learning, and more. o Behavioural & Adjustment Challenges
• Sleep: A consistent routine, including o Stress-Related Challenges
consistent bedtime, encourages better o Adjustment to Depression & Anxiety
sleep. A healthy sleep should last for
eight hours. Teens tend to be on their o Subject & Career Psychometric Testing
phones until late in the night. If your
teen is struggling with bedtime, take For an appointment please call
their cellphone to another room at 083 376 1995
a certain time or add downtime to
your teen’s phone. App limits are also Fees are charged according to Scale of Benefits
useful to avoid endless scrolling. Practice Address: 27 Fish Eagle Street, Silver lakes, Pretoria
• Screen time: I cannot stress this one Pr. Nr. 0860000114022 | Reg. No.: PS 0080543
enough. Stay on top of screen time.

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