Thinking With Our Teens

Wise parents learn that while it is important to continue to offer structure, guidance, direction, advice, and explanations when their kids enter the teenage years, they should at the same time give their children some freedom to make their own decisions. Parents who continue to do all the thinking for their teenagers will raise children who will have difficulty making vocational, marriage, educational, time-management, ethical, and other important choices later in life. In our house, our general rule has been this: When they are children, we think for them. As they move into adolescence, we think with them. We do this so that when they become adults, they will be able to think for themselves. Parents, challenge your teenager to reflect on issues about which you might not see eye-to-eye. By doing so, you will model and encourage responsible critical thinking. And, always teach God’s right and wrong, and be sure to explain and enforce appropriate consequences.