Parenting a teen girl has never been more challenging. Well, parents deal with various challenges when raising children of all ages. Infants cry almost all the time, and you have to anticipate their needs.
Toddlers are acute attention seekers who go to any length seeking the attention of their caregivers. The real trouble comes in raising teenagers, especially girls.
The increase in the use of the internet and all the Social media platforms doesn’t make life any easier. There is a lot that parents have to deal with regarding their teenage daughters. Right from a strong spirit, the desire to be independent, and the need to connect.
Sometimes they behave like they no longer need their family, while deep within, they long for love and care. There is a lot that comes with being a female teenager.
She grapples with the physical body, mental and hormonal changes which can be overwhelming. Since she is still a child, a teen girl needs parental guidance to navigate that stage.
The Giants to Slay in Parenting a Teen Girl
Unless you understand the elephant in the room, you will have trouble forming a meaningful relationship with your daughter. Some of the issues that influence the behaviors of teenage girls include:
Social Media and Body Image
Women have always battled with body image. The recent beauty and fashion hype on Social media has not made life any easier for the average teenage girl. There is pressure to be and look a certain way in shape and size.
Color is also an issue, as well as hair texture. The kinds of standards that the internet has set are causing more harm than good. Leaving the teen girl confused, feeling inadequate and with the pressure to portray an unrealistic image.
Parenting a teen girl requires you, as the parent, to be the road map that leads your daughter to self-discovery. If left on their own, girls will follow every wave of diet fads and fashion.
They feel that attaining a particular physical appearance will earn them a badge of acceptance. Trying to keep up with fake internet idols will leave teenagers in a worse state of mind.
Friendships and Peer Pressure
In the search for connection and understanding, teens take the business of making friends very seriously. They want to belong to a social class and feel accepted. Family love notwithstanding, your teen daughter desires to have a friend who understands their inner struggles. The majority of the time, they want to spend time with friends instead of being at home.
Forming friendships is an essential part of growth for every child. As a parent, you need to understand the dynamics of teen friendships. It is from some of these friends where the issue of negative peer pressure emanates. The desire to belong might cause your daughter to make bad decisions.
Mood Swings and Adolescence
With all the body changes happening to your teenage daughter, teen mood swings will be inevitable. Her physical appearance is changing by the day. Some of the emerging features are making her uncomfortable. Hormones are playing tricks on her, and she has to deal with all that acceptably.
Adolescence is a lot to handle. The girl is still trying to find her self-identity then she is bombarded with all these changes. She needs to attend school and social gatherings on her best behavior.
Declaration of Independence
Nothing in life prepares a parent for this part of parenting a teen girl. How do you react when your daughter declares her need for independence? She might ask you to let her go for a sleepover at a friend’s house.
Sometimes she may want to attend events by herself, insisting that she is no longer a child. All these and many more are bound to happen, so brace yourself.
The quest for independence is not a bad thing. It is a healthy part of development as your daughter prepares for adulthood. You will not always be there for your child, and they will need to grow up to a point where they can make decisions.
How To Get Your Groove with Your Teenage Daughter
Does it seem impossible to connect and have meaningful conversations with your teen girl? Don’t worry; I got you on this one. The world of a teenager is always a difficult one to invade. You may need to take your interpersonal relationship skills a notch higher, but it’s doable.
The majority build a defensive wall around them so that they can feel secure. Some teenagers serve a terrible attitude toward anyone who tries to get closer. Such can happen when the parent does not give them enough room to express themselves or forge their path.
Others want to hide behind that wall so that they’re not held responsible for their bad behavior. Whatever the case, find a way to build trust with your teen girl so that you can help them navigate this stage.
For you to get past that defensive wall around your teenage daughter, you will need to do the following:
- Step into her shoes and try to feel what she is feeling
- Know what is happening around, especially on Social Media and how it could be affecting her
- Offer the friendship that she so deeply longs to have.
A strong parent-child relationship will give your daughter the anchor she needs to transition smoothly into adulthood. This support also gives her the confidence to develop healthy social relationships that boost her self-esteem.
Practical Tips For Parenting a Teen Girl
It is possible to raise your girl in a manner that both of you will love and appreciate. The points below are of the essence in parenting your teenage daughter:
Remain Objective
Your girl is no longer the laid-back child who used to be all sweet. Sometimes they will do things that drive you up the wall. No matter what they do or say, take a deep breath and be the adult in the room. It is always good to remember that you love your daughter, and she loves you.
The tendency to rebel is a way to find herself, and if you manage it well, the results will be impressive. Don’t take her eye rolls personally but remember to call out her bad behavior.
Communicate Your Expectations
Parenting a teen girl requires you to strike a balance between being a friend and a parent. From the onset, set some ground rules and boundaries.
Communicate what you expect of her and the consequences of not meeting those expectations. Offer clear guidance as to the parent and leave nothing to chance.
Proper communication is one of the most powerful tools for raising teenagers. If you send mixed messages in your talk, be ready for some consequences. Cheeky teens are always looking out for loopholes to sneak in bad behavior.
Reach a Compromise
To crown it all, reach a compromise with your teen girl. She is approaching adulthood, and her mind is developing fast. Kindly avoid some common parenting mistakes that push teenage girls away, exposing them to all manner of trouble.
For instance, if adolescent girls are not allowed to express themselves freely, they will close up. Most of the time, they seek attention in all the wrong places.
Discuss issues together, give her leeway as much as necessary, but do not excuse bad behavior in the name of reaching a compromise.
Your Take Away
Parenting a teen girl is undoubtedly a tasking process, given all the changes they grow through before stepping into adulthood. No matter how many parenting books you read, there will always be a moment when you feel inadequate.
However, there is hope for a less bumpy transition. The guidelines provided here will come in handy in your journey of parenting your teenage daughter.
