How do parents behave with children of transition age?

Russian psychologist Tatyana Zhuravleva told NEWS.ru about how parents should establish relationships with their children before the onset of adolescence if there are relevant problems. The expert added that in such a period it is better to communicate with offspring as with adults.

"Communicate with children as adults, avoid lecturing, criticizing, blaming and advising. Give children some of the responsibility for them. Don't check his homework, don't choose sections instead of him, don't buy clothes without him. Accept the fact that you are about to go through a stage of separation. Your child will be estranged from you and it's normal, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't love you and doesn't need your help and support," said Zhuravleva.

The interlocutor also urged to give children more freedom, not to help and advise if it's not required. Zhuravleva noted that it's acceptable to ask a child, "Do you need help? Are you interested in my opinion?" She stressed that children in transition are allowed to stumble and gain life experience through mistakes.

"Yes, the heart will hurt and there will be an urge to say 'I told you so,' but refrain. There will be no results without mistakes, it's a normal process. Admire and praise your child. This will be important for his self-esteem and your relationship. Be understanding and patient with his emotional swings. Share your experiences, telling situations you went through at his age, how you felt, how you thought, how you looked," Zhuravleva added.

According to her, you should try to understand the teenager, and if you can't at all, you can ask him for help, play games together, watch videos, communicate with his friends when they come to visit.

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