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Every kid hits that stage where they think Mom and Dad are the lamest and most humiliating of parents. It can be hard to know how to stay close to your children when they are in this stage, but it is an important part of their formative years. Here are three ways you can still be a parent without causing your kid humiliation.
Make conversation in the car. You know that there is stuff your teenager needs to talk to you about, but it can be hard to find time or opportunity for these talks. Take advantage of a car trip when it is just the two of you to hear what your child is thinking or worrying about. Other good family times could be at the dinner table, or when working around the house.
Create purposeful quality time. Besides the times when you happen to be with your child, be sure to schedule in intentional quality time. This doesn’t have to be something that embarrasses your child. You can go to a movie, go shopping, or see a baseball game. This will help your kids know that you love them and want to have good quality time with them.
Start a good relationship sooner rather than later. Being there for your child when they are young will help them to trust you and talk with you when they are older in adolescence. In their elementary and kindergarten years, kids love to spend time with Mom and Dad. Take advantage of this and spend plenty of one-on-one time with them then. This will make parenting when they are older much easier because you will have a solid foundation of trust.
