Parenting teens

Most everyone agrees that raising teenagers can be very difficult to navigate. What worked when your child was six probably don’t work as well now that they are sixteen, so it can be hard for parents to know what to do as their child matures and the relationship changes. Having teenagers is a constant learning process and every parent-child relationship will look different, but we want to help you make the most of these years with your teen.

Whether you’re in the midst of your child’s teenage years or you’re on the threshold of this new phase, the following articles, broadcasts and resources speak into this unique stage of parenting to help you build a thriving relationship with your child.

Communicating and connecting with your teen

Any parent of a teenager knows how difficult it can be to invite them into conversation. Or if you are able to start a conversation with them, it can be a challenge to know how to push past the one-word answers and deepen your relationship with your child. The following articles and broadcasts will provide you with the tools you need to communicate and connect with your teen.

Click here to watch part two of the Focus on the Family Broadcast "Understanding How Your Teen Thinks."

Encouraging your teen’s faith journey

As your child goes from tween to teen, and eventually teen to young adult, a natural part of their spiritual development is finding their own faith. While this can be an uncertain time for parents, there is a lot of opportunity for them to dive deeper in their relationship with God. The following articles will help you help your teen not only grow in their faith journey, but also share it with their friends.

Teaching your teen tech and media discernment

The world of technology and media use today is far different than when we were young. It continually changes and it can be difficult to know how to keep up as a parent. The best thing you can do is help your teen think critically about their media use by being open to conversations, questions and discussions. The following resources will be a big help in raising a discerning teen.

Talking with your teen about tough topics

“How do I talk to my child about marijuana?” “What do I say when they ask me about transgender issues?” “How can I address depression, suicide and self-harm?” There are no easy answers to these questions – but that’s all the more reason to talk to our children about these issues. The following resources will guide you in navigating these tough topics with your teen.

More advice for talking to your kids about tough topics

Empowering your teen to become a thriving adult

One of the trickiest parts of raising teens is knowing how to ensure they’ll be thriving adults. What do we need to teach them? How can we empower them? What tools can they start to learn now? The following articles and broadcasts will help you equip your teen for the road ahead.

More advice for parenting teens

From advice for family dynamics to understanding your teen’s behaviour, the following articles and broadcasts will help every mom and dad parent their teenage son or daughter well.

Referrals

If you’re looking for additional support from our in-house counsellors, a referral to a counsellor in your area, prayer with our team, or a resource recommendation, we encourage you contact our team at 1.888.934.1140, Mondays to Fridays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT.