Parent Coach for Moms of Teens: Fern Weis
Parenting teens is a new frontier for most of us and requires rethinking the tried and true game plan.
“Buckle up… and throw everything you think you know out the window.” That was the response I received when I asked, “What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when your child became a teenager?” I couldn’t agree more.
“It’s an uncomfortable shift for many of us, but necessary.”
Parenting Teens Not For Sissies:
As parents, we know our children evolve as they grow, but what’s often overlooked is the reality that we, too, must evolve. What worked when they were five or nine no longer applies when they hit the teen years. All those tried-and-true methods? Out the window!
The teenage years are a unique ride, one that demands we buckle up and prepare for a new approach to parenting. It’s tempting to try to cling to our old ways of handling things, but those ways will no longer serve us or our teens. What’s needed now is a shift in how we see ourselves as parents and in how we approach our evolving children.
For years, we’ve played the roles of teacher and protector, helping to shape their world and make decisions for them. But now, our role must evolve into something different: a guide and a trusted confidante. It’s an uncomfortable shift for many of us, but necessary. Our time as the ultimate authority figure with absolute power over our kids’ lives is over.
“So, buckle up, because the teenage years are a ride like no other.”
Boundaries Can Be Helpful At This Stage:
Now, before you get alarmed, this doesn’t mean we give in, give up, and let chaos reign. Far from it. There’s something called boundaries, and they’re more important than ever during the teen years. But that’s a conversation for another post.
What this shift really means is coming to terms with the fact that our teenagers’ actions are now their own. As much as we may want to, we can’t control them. And that’s hard for a lot of us to accept. It’s natural to want to protect them from mistakes, but part of our new role is allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions — both the good and the bad.
So, buckle up, because the teenage years are a ride like no other. It’s not about holding on to control, but about guiding, advising, and standing strong in your boundaries while giving them the room they need to grow.
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About the Author:
Fern Weis is a Parent Empowerment Coach for Moms of Teens and a Family Recovery Coach. She’s also a wife, former middle school teacher, and the parent of two adult children who taught her more about herself than she ever could have imagined.
Fern partners with moms of teens and young adults, privately and in groups. She helps them grow their confidence to build strong relationships and emotionally healthier kids who become successful adults. She knows first-hand that when parents do the work, the possibilities for change are limitless; that it’s never too late to start; and you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more about Fern at www.fernweis.com. Contact Fern for a complimentary Parent Discovery Call. https://bit.ly/3J9wxzz
If you’re ready to stop collecting parenting information and move to action and implementation, the Moms’ Circle is your next best step. For information on this small group coaching program, contact Fern.
