HOW TO BE A GOOD PARENT FOR YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER

ROSALIND I. DELA CRUZ, R. N.

Let's face it, if you are a good parent you will guide your daughter to the right decisions or destinations in her life, but she may hate you all the while for it. Being a good parent means you will guide your daughter and she will still love you, all the while. In fact, not only will she love you, but she will remember your great parenting skills and guide her daughter the same way. Spending time together

1. Give your daughter attention. Sometimes it is neglect that can make you distant from your daughter. Hug her and comfort her. Tell her she is beautiful. Heal small hurts at random times every day. If either of you are sad or stressed comfort each other once again.

2. Encourage and develop good communication with your daughter. Teenage girls always have the desire to have relationships with boys, whether it's just friendship or crushing. If your daughter is comfortable with you, she will tell you once she's make a new guy-friend or likes a particular boy. Get to know her, know her weaknesses and strengths and what makes her happy. Be interested in what she tells you. Do not look worried or angry. Ask her about the boy, or even ask to meet him. Then decide whether she should hang out with him or not.

3. Ask her about what she is interested in. Don't be nosy though, that can really bug your teenage daughter. Also, if she seems like she doesn't want to answer your questions, stop asking and wait for another time, teens can get moody, just like the rest of us.

4. If your teen is into the media, get involved. Get to know the top models, the gossip, the fashion, the makeup, the top singers and actresses. Just don't copy your teen, after all she is trying to find herself!

Coping with challenges

1. Accept the fact that she's no longer a kid, she's a teenager, and has different desires. That's the most important thing a parent should do.

2. Be respectful and caring about her interest in having a boyfriend. If she has a boyfriend, be supportive. Once you've met the boyfriend and gotten to know him, and feel like he's the right sort, you can let her go on dates with him. If you did not feel like the boy is trustworthy, tell your daughter the reasons why without exploding or banning the relationship.

3.Let her have freedom within caring boundaries. Give her own space to grow but also kindly clarify the boundaries. Know that she may sometimes test these boundaries and that is when you need to remind her that she is aware of the boundaries and that they need to restored.

If you disagree with your daughter's choice of clothing, tell her face to face. Be reasonable. Talk to her about the problems with how clothing can be suggestive and the things that certain people may assume of some types of clothing.

4. Do your best to not be the kind of parent whom your daughter would want to turn to when she's in a fix. In other words, never be the type of parent whom your daughter would be scared of.

Other ways to care for your teen daughter

1. Do random acts of kindness for your daughter. Even though she may pretend she doesn't like it when you clean her room, she really does. Some random acts you could do like buying her some make up you think she would like,someclothes/jewelryshewouldenjoy

2. Trust your teen daughter. Let your daughter know you trust her. And actually do trust her. Once she sees that you find her trustworthy, she will feel more likely to trust you.

3. Remember her birthdays and respect the things that are important to her. In this way, you will be respected too.

4. Take your teen daughter places. Take her somewhere she would like, for example to the mall or a music concert. *Take your daughter to places she has never heard of before and see if she finds new hobbies and good new experiences. Take her shopping at her favorite stores.

--oOo—

The author is ADA VI, DepEd Division Office of Angeles City