Toddler And Teens: Surviving The Chaos With Grace

Living with a teen can be utterly draining. It reminds me of parenting a toddler. You might want to trade them in, but there are no returns, no refunds, no exchanges, all sales are final. What’s a parent to do?

 Have you noticed the similarities between toddlers and teens? I remember my son as a toddler. He had too much energy, didn’t like the word ‘no’. His words weren’t always clear.

 When he wanted something, he kept going and going. It took all I had to outlast him. He was sweet and loving and believed he was the center of the universe. (He was, at least until his sister was born.)

 Does this sound like your teen? Teens speak their own language, which is often incomprehensible to us. They don’t react well to ‘no’. When they want something, or don’t want to do something, they are masters of deflection and distraction.

 They push every button you have to throw you off balance until you can’t remember what you really wanted in the first place. And in their mind, the universe revolves around them.

 Another thing toddlers and teens have in common is the need to separate, to not need us. This is where the tantrums and rebellion come from. They know everything, they’re going to figure it out themselves, so please back off mom and dad.

 But you’re so used to being needed that you don’t know how to let go. Two small words that are loaded with worry, fear, and helplessness: letting go.

 You can’t hover the way you did when they were two or five or eight. Those days had better be over, because if not, you will create anxious, insecure kids.

 So, the next time you’re being a control freak ask yourself, “How important is it for me to be right?” and “What’s the worst that could happen”? The answers are 1) Being right is a matter of ego, so let it go (those words again!) and 2) the worst is usually not as bad as you think it will be and is more about your discomfort than your kid’s.

 Stop turning a problem into a crisis and let them handle it and the consequences. You will live through it, I promise.