It may be helpful to, approach your teenager in a non-aggressive way at a time where you know that his/her temperament is not particularly sensitive or vulnerable. Show him/her that you are not the enemy here! In fact you want him/her to know that you are quite the opposite. And if at times you do impose guidelines or rules for him/her, it’s not because you take pleasure in taking enjoyment away from your teen. It’s because your concern for him/her, prompts you to help him/her achieve a balance in his/her lifestyle.
Refer to Guiding a defiant teen for more information. Once your teenager has started sessions with a counselor, it’s important for you to keep yourself updated. Know what’s happening to your teen by communicating with his/her therapist. Make sure that the both of you are on the same track with regards to your child. Any possible information about your teen’s behavior at home that you may share with the counselor may be significant for the therapist to get a broad picture of your teenager’s situation.
Make the most of your
child’s therapy or counseling by playing an active part in it. Do not just leave things up to the therapist. As a parent, keeping yourself constantly updated about your teen’s situation can prove to help you help your teenager even more.
“We’ve talked about what I am asking from you as my son/daughter? But what about what you want from me as your parent?” Asking this sort of question can lead you to answers that may help you understand your teen. Your teenager may be confused as to what you may mean by ‘what you want’ but you may give him examples to get him started. If he can’t think of anything to say, you can ask him to just try and mention things off the top of his head. If he still remains silent, you yourself can try mentioning things and checking out your teen’s reactions. From here, he may help you get on the right track. Refer to Important things to find out from your Troubled Teen for more information.
If your child is undergoing medication for a disorder or substance abuse, you play vital role in his/her wellness. Normally a medical trial is performed when a teenager is just beginning to go under medication. This is a testing period for various medications and their efficiency in treatment of the disorder. Your role as parent of the patient is vital in this process of medical trials.
Usually, a record or medication journal is made by either the patient under the supervision of the parent or by the parent himself. Noting your teenager’s feelings after the dose is important, as well as possible side-effects you may observe. You may refer to the section Role of the Parent in Medication under article Medication for Troubled Teens for additional information.
