Many parents feel ill-equipped to parent their teens. Learn how boundaries can help set a tone and provide direction for you as parents.
Talking Points:
- Parents, your teens need to learn independence. It won’t do them any good if you micromanage every aspect of their lives. They need to increasingly take ownership of their own lives.
- Parents need to set boundaries so teens learn discipline and structure. Boundaries also teach that there are consequences for good and bad behavior.
- It’s important that parents always keep the big picture in mind. Don’t get caught up in the little battles. Remember that you are teaching your teen to be a responsible adult. Choose to focus on the big lessons and let some of the little stuff go.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Describe what it was like growing up in your home. What were the rules, how were they enforced, and what were the main lessons you learned in your home?
- What are the main values you hope to teach your kids?
- What are your biggest fears of raising a teenager? Why?
- In your own words, why are boundaries important? In what areas does your teen need more boundaries? What do you think those boundaries should look like?
- What do you think it means that we should train up our kids? How can boundaries help you with that training?
- As a parent, do you get caught up fighting over the little things more than the big things? What can you do moving forward to change that dynamic?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
