The ABC’s of Raising Teenagers - Happy Mom, Happy Child

Family "Drink Song"

A - Accountability 

Hold your teens accountable for their behaviour.

B – Boundaries

Set specific limits and make the consequences clear if those limits are exceeded.  Parents must say “no” when necessary and hold to it.

C - Consistency

Hold to the same principles and practices.

D – Discipline

Make the consequences fit the act.  Never discipline in anger.

E – Example

Children are in greater need of models than critics.  Be an example for your kids.

F – Forgiveness

Practice it and teach the importance of forgiving.

G – Giving

Teach the joy of giving.  Be generous of your time to family & friends and to others in need.

H – Humour

Keep it.  Have fun & laugh with your children.  It brings joy to our lives.

I – Imagination

Be creative and play with your children.

J – Justice

Be fair and objective and insist that children be fair too.

K – Knowing

Your teen’s friends and their parents as well as their teachers.

L – Love

Love your children unconditionally.

M – Morals

Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound.

N – Nutrition

Expose your teens to healthy food choices and limit high sugar, fat & salty processed or junk foods.  Knowing how to eat well is the key to enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

O – Outdoors

Get outside and encourage regular exercise in your teen’s life – create a healthy future !

P – Pressure

While maintaining high standards, look for ways to reduce the pressure on teenagers.

Q – Questions

Pay close attention to their questions and give honest answers.  If you don’t know the answer, look it up together.

R – Respect

Show respect, teach respect, earn respect.

S – Source of strength

Share your own faith and beliefs with your children.

T – Togetherness

Have special designated times to be together as a family but also know when to let teens go.

U – Uniqueness

Understand the uniqueness of each child, and let that child be who she or he is.

V – Voice

Tone of voice and body language can convey more to a child than words spoken.

W – Word

Keep your word.  Promises broken destroy trust.

X – Expectations

Keep them high and consistent.

Y – You

Take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.  A happy parent helps a child to be happy.

Z – Zoom

Who would have thought they would grow up so quickly?  Enjoy each day.

Another "Drink Song"

Before I trash the 2010-2011 school calendar, let me publish the above so that I can remind myself from time to time.

These ABC’s are nothing extraordinary or new in the parental survival kit but I think that’s why one would overlook them, especially when you are already on the right track.  Undoubtedly, typical responsible parents love their kids unconditionally, set an example for their kids and provide necessary nutrition to them …. 

To me, H, T, Y and Z are noteworthy.  I always think that my silly jokes will only embarrass my kids.  I know a sense of humour brings joy to their lives but how do I know my kids will grow up to be proud of having a 「爛GAG」mother?  I shed a doubt about “togetherness”.  Sometimes, togetherness doesn’t deserve a credit as “closeness” over value time.  Y and Z are new but important reminders for me.  It is absolutely right that only a happy and healthy (and wealthy is even better) parent helps a child to be happy, so enjoy each day.

So kids, remember this reciprocal rule: always make me happy, then you will be happy !!!!