I have loved every season of being a mom. I feel incredibly blessed that I’ve been able to be at home with them for their entire childhood. And while being a first time mom comes with a whole slew of challenges and adjustments, I feel like being a mom of teenagers is a whole new level of parenting in so many ways. With my youngest daughter getting her learners permit this week, my level of stress in the driving department is on the rise. (I’m using this Student Driver Log Book to keep track of her driving sessions.) But having taught our oldest to drive I’m confident that everything will go great.
As our teenagers get older, they too have stress in their lives. Although it’s easy to forget, we were all teenagers once! Being a teenager is challenging. They have chaotic schedules and pressures at school. They’re navigating the world and trying to find the bridge between being a child and an adult. It’s not an easy task! We need to help our teenagers manage their stress.
With hormones and developing brains, teenagers often feel an intense amount of pressure. As parents and guardians, it’s always worth taking a few minutes to consider how your teenager may be suffering from stress and work out some simple, positive ways to help them cope and thrive!
Consider these top tips on how to help your teenagers manage stress.
Create routines.
Teenagers thrive on stability. Something as simple as a routine can create rhythm in the household and instill a sense of calm into their life.
- Teenagers can be unpredictable, with hormones and mood swings wreaking havoc on their feelings and behavior, so simple routines can help them feel safe and let them recognize familiarity.
- Try to maintain certain routines. Get your teenager to wake up at a certain time, stick to a strict sleep schedule, and encourage them to fulfill their commitments and chores. The sense of stability will help to calm and stabilize them. But don’t be surprised if your best laid plans go haywire.
- In my experience, you have to learn to pick your battles. If your teens are doing well in school and have a handle on the things they need to do…I tend to not go crazy on the strict bedtimes and routines. Thats just me…you’ve got to do what works best for your family.
Set aside down time.
Find time in the day to sit down with your teenager and talk about the day. Make time to discuss their thoughts and feelings and engage in their interests.
- During this quality time, avoid using your phones and stay away from screens. Find out what may be concerning your teenager and focus on the art of conversation.
- In a world where young people are constantly socializing or working on school assignments, it’s important to schedule some down time.
Engage in enjoyable activities.
Find something that you and your teenager enjoy. Pick up a new hobby together or play board games. Go for walks or even cook together.
- We all spend so much of our time glued to screens and social media, why not engage in activities together that involve socializing, exercising, or just enjoying something new?
- You could even encourage your teenager to help you around the house, giving them responsibility. Help them to feel needed and mature by involving them in your day-to-day commitments!
Promote discussion.
Remind your teenagers that talking is healthy! If something is bothering them, have a discussion.
- Make a point of encouraging your teenager to talk about their feelings. They can write down their thoughts or have an open and frank discussion with you about how important it is to not keep things bottled up. It will fill your teenager with confidence!
Stay healthy.
Encouraging your young teenager to fuel their body is crucial to their wellbeing. Reduce their stress by ensuring that you cook healthy meals for them full of nutrition and goodness. Sleep is super important too! Making sure that your teenager has enough sleep is crucial to both their mental development and their physical wellbeing. A good night’s sleep will refresh and revive them for whatever they may face next!
We can’t read our teenager’s mind. What we can do, however, is offer support. Ensure they have a stable routine, eat healthy food, and get enough sleep. Sometimes easier said than done for sure. Let them know that you’re available to talk about anything that is troubling them, so you can help reduce their stress! And if you’re feeling stressed, be sure you take some time to find happiness. Here’s an article to help.
See you tomorrow!
