Understanding Your Role as a Parent of Teens and Tweens

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When it comes to parenting tweens and teens, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your role. Just the other day, my daughter, who’s 12, stormed off to her room after I told her she couldn’t use a certain social media site. It was a classic eye-roll moment, and honestly, I could feel her frustration. The site in question had a minimum age requirement of 13 due to regulations aimed at protecting children’s privacy online. We had already set clear boundaries about its use, and her argument was that she wasn’t breaking the rules since she didn’t have an account.

As I reflected on our little disagreement that night, I found myself questioning my parenting choices. Was I being too strict? Was I hovering too much? But then I remembered advice from a well-known football coach: know your mandate. This concept brought me back to the core of my parenting philosophy and helped me regain my confidence in the choices I was making.

My Parenting Goals

For me, my main goals as a parent are pretty straightforward:

• Ensure my child’s safety.
• Promote her health.
• Show her love and affection.
• Provide her with a solid education.
• Teach her to be respectful and responsible, which includes following not just our family rules but societal laws as well.

Every parent has their unique approach to these priorities, and that’s perfectly fine. I realize that as my daughter matures, my focus will shift from keeping her safe to teaching her how to navigate the world independently.

What Isn’t Part of My Mandate

It’s also helpful to recognize what isn’t part of my mandate. For instance, I’m not her friend, and I don’t need to grant her every wish. My parenting decisions don’t have to align with those of other families. I’m not her entertainment provider, and, importantly, I am not responsible for her happiness. That can be a tough pill to swallow, especially when faced with a moody tween, but I remind myself that her happiness is ultimately her own responsibility.

Tweens and teens are at an age where they can and should start taking responsibility for their actions. Making good choices often leads to happiness, and that’s a lesson that sometimes requires a bit of tough love. It’s all part of the learning curve, and while it can be hard, it’s necessary for growth.

Understanding my parenting mandate also helps me stand firm in my decisions, even when it feels like I’m going against the tide. I know that my stance on age restrictions for social media might not be popular among other parents, but it aligns with my goals for my daughter.

Resources for Parents

Reflecting on these principles can really ease the burden of doubt. If you’re navigating similar challenges with your kids, you might find it helpful to explore more about parenting strategies or even consider resources on home insemination, which can be found in one of our other blog posts at this link. For more specialized information, Make a Mom offers great insights on at-home insemination kits. And if you’re interested in the broader context of fertility and pregnancy, the CDC is an excellent resource here.

Conclusion

In summary, knowing your mandate as a parent can significantly simplify your journey through the challenging years of parenting tweens and teens. It’s not always easy, but having a clear focus can make all the difference.