tips for parenting

It is a challenge for parents to figure out how to parent their teen after a crisis. Often parents are not sure how to respond to their teen, or what expectations they should have for their teen after hospitalization.  Sometimes parents are scared to discipline their teen following hospitalization, fearing it will trigger another crisis. At times this can feel like “walking on eggshells.” Eventually, it is good to work toward having normal expectations at home, but you should talk with your teen’s therapist about when to do this (your care support manager can help you find a therapist if you don’t have one). Clear communication about expectations and praise for your teen’s positive behaviors can be very helpful. These behaviors can include taking steps to calm down when upset, or going to therapy. Try to limit personal criticism and balance this with positive attention for when your teen is trying. When you and your teen start to get into an argument, it is best if both of you can take time to calm down before continuing the discussion and solving any problems. It is important to “be there” for your teen so she or he feels it is safe to approach you if feeling upset.

Despite your best efforts, sometimes you or your adolescent will still have bad days. Click here to learn about other parents’ experiences, including how they handled bad days.

Or for more information on how much freedom to give your adolescent, click here and read section 3, “How much freedom do we give our child?”