Parenting Teenagers (12-18) Support Group
This community is focused on the joys, challenges and concerns faced by parents of teenagers (12 to 18 year olds). The major areas of child development include: physical development, perception and sensory development, communication and language development, cognitive development, emotional development and social development.
I am the mom of an almost 17 year old boy. I had my son just after my 17th birthday and I have in many senses have grown up with him. I was effectively a single parent and his biological father has not been a constant presence in his life.
When my son was about 11 I met my now husband. He is truly the man of my dreams and such an awesome stepfather to my son. My son has had struggled with the changes in our family and has somewhat acted out. He loves John (my husband) but I just think all the changes are difficult to handle especially because he is not used to having a male father figure in his life.
I have a three year old daughter with my husband and we are expecting another child in February. While my son is a great big brother, he has also found it difficult having a little one around. He is a typical teenager and I try not to take his outbursts and fights we have to heart but it is so difficult raising a teen!
He has been challenging my husband when he tries to set rules and has been struggling where his stepfather fits into the picture. I think it is more difficult for him because he has never had a father figure and it is confusing for him. I have to now consider my husbands feelings on discipline which is something i never have had to do in the past.
I just hope my son stays focused in sports and school and this time in his life is just growing pains.
When my son was about 11 I met my now husband. He is truly the man of my dreams and such an awesome stepfather to my son. My son has had struggled with the changes in our family and has somewhat acted out. He loves John (my husband) but I just think all the changes are difficult to handle especially because he is not used to having a male father figure in his life.
I have a three year old daughter with my husband and we are expecting another child in February. While my son is a great big brother, he has also found it difficult having a little one around. He is a typical teenager and I try not to take his outbursts and fights we have to heart but it is so difficult raising a teen!
He has been challenging my husband when he tries to set rules and has been struggling where his stepfather fits into the picture. I think it is more difficult for him because he has never had a father figure and it is confusing for him. I have to now consider my husbands feelings on discipline which is something i never have had to do in the past.
I just hope my son stays focused in sports and school and this time in his life is just growing pains.
deleted_user
Your son has indeed had to adjust to some big changes, and you have your hands full. Good for you for asking for help now, before it gets any harder. In my experience with relationship issues, the most important thing is to first understand the issues. You need to open the lines of communication with your son and really listen to him without judging or criticizing. In addition to the family issues at home, he may be struggling with pressures at school. Try to find out what his world looks like, both at home and at school, and then you will have an easier time helping him effectively. You may want to consider family counseling if it is in your budget; someone experienced with blended families can zero in on the issues and give you some valuable tools. One thing that makes life easier with kids of all ages is structure, i.e. applying rules and policies that are consistent and reasonable, and that both parents support.
Join the Conversation
-
My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...