Page 35 - Waterfall City September Issue 2023

media. Be aware of the allure of early Your best hope is that through the to compete at athletics. Rather than
drinking and vaping, for example, that learning opportunities you present letting them stop altogether, get them
is promoted in the virtual world. You’ll to your child, you’ve created a space to commit to practising and exercising
need to learn how to navigate your where they can distinguish decent daily regardless of whether or not they
child’s exposure to negative influences people from bad influencers and know want to be competitive. Follow as normal
in order to prevent your child from whom to keep at a distance. A pivotal a schedule as possible. If you used to do
starting a bad habit – or at least lesson to teach a teen is that every family dinners, retain family dinners.
prevent the habit from getting worse. valuable relationship can be predicated
on the word “no”. If a friend will not take Furthermore, try to maintain
As difficult as it is, try to monitor “no” for an answer, then that friendship household rules and discipline as these
and limit your teen’s exposure to shouldn’t last, especially when it comes provide children with security. It is fine
social media. The world is constantly to the pressures of a teen romance or to let your teens be more independent
presented on social platforms in a smoking and drinking. as they become more responsible with
certain way. We know that this is a fake age, but do not abandon rules and
world of false glamour that can expose 4. Controlling the consequences just because they are
your child to the dangers of alcohol controllables too difficult to enforce with a teen or
and drug use, bullying, trafficking, Control what you have control over and because you believe your teen won’t
sexual and emotional exploitation, try loosening your grip on what you follow them. This is precisely the time
and sheer manipulation. It’s essential cannot control. During adolescence, that follow-through is essential.
that you warn them of these dangers a big challenge is your child negating
because they may feel a great need to routines. For example, many parents When you cannot reason with them
subscribe to whatever is online due to bemoan having spent many hours at these times, remember to guard
peer pressure. on the hockey field or cricket pitch or your mental health. This is because
by the swimming pool, only to have adolescence can be as overwhelming
3. Relationships and the teenager decide on a whim that for you as for your child. There will be
friendships they no longer want to participate. times when the youngster is more
Be vigilant about who your teens This extends to your teen no longer interested in being offensive than in
are hanging out with. This is tricky wanting to participate in family dinners making progress, times when whatever
because there are friends we do not or Sunday lunches. you try doesn’t work, times when your
want our children to associate with. teen won’t talk or be reasonable – and
However, if you forbid your child from Stand your ground. Try to follow basic won’t listen.
engaging in such associations, they routines, the ones that provide comfort
may rebel and seek out these people and familiarity in their structure. For If you’re unsure of how to proceed
intentionally. example, your teen no longer wants 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 day,
exercise will make your
teenager happier, even
if they complain. It will
probably make you
happier, too. Exercise
affects mood, energy
levels, learning, and more.
• Sleep: A consistent
routine, including
consistent bedtime,
encourages better sleep.
A healthy sleep should

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