Parents, when their offspring enter the dreaded teenage , look back nostalgically on the days when their children hadn't learned to speak yet, were cute and adoring, and hung on to every word that their parents said. One day, puberty happens and the sweet angels of yesterday begin to act like their parents are their worst enemies
My mom often complains about my sister"I dont know whats wrong with maina.She always argues with me for the silliest things.A single day doesnt even pass without she screamimg at me and storming out of the room.I dont know what to do with her.In our days we never raise our voice to our parents."
Teenagers are always talking about their freedom, usually in context of how their parents are obstacles. The minute you give children a curfew, or object to their clothes or hair, or do not allow them to go out, you become the evil dictator who will never understand. Suddenly, 'generation gap' becomes a buzzword. It's as if one day you and your child find yourselves on opposite sides of the fence and there's no meeting ground. Each one feels that the other is speaking a foreign language. Teenagers may not know it or admit it, but they need their parents to guide them about what's right and what's wrong.
This is the time when teenagers try to become individuals in their own right and try to move out from under the protective wing of their parents. They will try out many things in order to be 'in' with the crowd . This is not the time to play the great dictator and alienate your children. Talk to them, but don't talk down to them. The way to do it, is not by making yourself out to be their enemy and coming down on them heavily for every wrongdoing.
Parents tend to forget that they were teenagers too once and their contentment doesn't win them any points with their children. Most parents tend to forget that babies do grow up someday and when the time comes, they must let them go and find their own way in the world. You can't protect your children forever and they won't thank you if you try to.
