The teen years are often challenging for adolescents. Their physical, emotional, and mental changes can be difficult to manage, especially when they occur simultaneously or clash. During this developmental phase, teenagers’ self-confidence can plummet. But there are several things parents can do to help rebuild their teen’s self-image.
Provide Health Support
Busy families might focus more on pressing needs than those they feel are less demanding. Health issues with cosmetic implications may seem less demanding to parents but highly important to teenagers.
For example, uneven or protruding teeth often signal a need for orthodontic treatment, but some parents, especially those with limited insurance coverage, might not see that as a priority. But teens are painfully aware of their physical differences that other students may mock or bully them for.
Invisalign braces offer more of a natural appearance while straightening a teenager’s teeth, providing relief from bullying while improving their physical appearance.
Acne treatment is another situation that parents might not take as seriously as a teenager does. But it can make teenagers very shy and cause them to become reclusive or even unsocial. Acne can be treated fairly easily with the help of a dermatologist and the right medication.
Offer Educational Guidance
High school students may require help with difficult courses like trigonometry or science. Parents can either guide students through their homework or hire a tutor for assistance. A teenager who does not understand or correctly complete assignments may be at risk for failing a course, which could further lower his or her morale.
Encourage Social Activities
With age-appropriate monitoring balanced with increasing independence and freedom, parents who support their teens’ socializations through wholesome activities like sports or extracurricular clubs can enhance a teen’s self-awareness and maturity.
Choosing the right friends and avoiding serious mistakes are part of the coming-of-age ritual for each of us. Avoid being overly restrictive or too permissive as your teen becomes more socially inclined toward friends and peers.
Support Creativity and Exploration
Everyone has to find their own path in life to feel fulfilled and be content. That process begins during the teen years as adolescents explore new interests and hobbies. Encourage their interest in various types of creativity, such as art or writing. Suggest volunteering at an organization that is associated with their potential career interest.
Don’t expect teens to follow your path in life. They should be free to discover their own, which will instill them with confidence and self-reliance.
Being a teenager isn’t easy. Fortunately, it doesn’t last forever. During those years, a parent can find ways to help their teen become the person they are destined to be.