Parenting Teens

When you’re parenting teenagers, it can be difficult to know how to foster their independence and allow them express themselves without crossing a line. It’s important to allow teens to be themselves during their formative high school years so they can be successful in the real world after they’ve graduated. Here are some creative ways parents can assist teens in cultivating their individual sense of style.

Let Them Dress Themselves

When children are younger, it’s the parents’ job to pick out appropriate clothing every day. However, it’s important for teenagers to choose clothing that makes them feel good about how they look. Some teens will attempt to blend in with the rest of their peers, and others will be drawn to clothing and accessories that will cause them to stand out. Either way, as long as teenagers are allowed to be real, chances are they’ll make plenty of friends and feel comfortable with their peers.

Let Them Choose Their Favorite Hairstyles

There’s more to defining a personal sense of style than selecting appropriate clothing – teens need to be able to choose their hairstyles as well. Parents who are concerned that their teens will pick inappropriate hairstyles can still allow them to have a say by setting simple limits for them. An easy way to show teens that it’s okay to stand out is to allow them to purchase neon hair dye. They can select their favorite colors and show-off their creative streak to their friends. Let them test out a temporary dye first to ensure they’ll be happy with the color they pick.

Get to Know Their Friends

Socializing is extremely important for teenagers; it keeps them from feeling isolated and misunderstood at school. Parents can encourage teens to foster new relationship by getting to know their friends better. Hosting a dinner or inviting some of your teen’s friends to dinner is a great way to show you care about his or her friends.

While it’s important to demonstrate acceptance to your teenager, it’s equally important to remember to be yourself as well. You can set a good example by demonstrating your own unique sense of style at home.