Set Clear Expectations: How To Gain Teen More Independence?

When your child moves on to the teen years it’s difficult to let go as a parent. This is your baby, your pride and joy, the hardest thing is learning that they are growing up and you must let go. There are easy ways to give teens the independence they will beg for while still maintaining the parental role. After all, teen years are still part of childhood; they need you now more than ever. Regardless of what you teen screams at you when they are upset, they still need their parents but they are correct in needing more independence at this age as well. Here’s how you can give your teen more independence without risking it all:

Set Clear Expectations
Sure your teen wants to have a curfew and a bit of lead way with being on their own out there in the big world. There is nothing wrong with allowing your teen a bit more freedom in life, so as long as you set clear expectations. If you are allowing your teen to go out on their own, make sure you set the proper expectations in place. This means if they are to going to a specific place or location you remain steadfast in letting them know this is the only place they can go. Should plans change, they must contact you first or else have a consequence. This scenario not only gives your teen more independence, it helps build trust between the two of you.

Let Go a Bit and Communicate …show more content…
Let’s say your teen wants to head off to school in a wild outfit, so as long as it’s within dress code let them. Start picking your battles with your teen; explain how some decisions you must remain firm on them not doing because it can ultimately affect their future. Teens don’t fully grasp the idea of what they do today can destroy their dreams in the future. Be the parent who explains how decisions today affect the future, while still giving some lead way on the things that make you cringe but won’t destroy their