Bringing up teenagers can be a very demanding task.
Teenage happens to be a time where we all go through changes physically, psychologically, emotionally, and in many other aspects of life. This is especially so for those teenagers growing up in foster care.
We have discussed some of the important things you need to know for you to foster a teen into successful adulthood.
Guide Them When They Make Mistakes
It is normal for teenagers to make mistakes. Your role as a foster parent is to be a teacher, leader, role model, and guide through this phase in their life.
To help you deal with discipline-related issues, you should have rules in the house that are clear and fair to everyone. These rules must also have consequences should anyone break them.
Teenagers also need guidance when they go wrong or fail at a task in life. This will require you as a foster parent to be very patient and supportive to give them the best guidance.
Learn to Listen
For successful foster parenting, listening is a key trait. Teenage is usually accompanied by mixed emotions and the need to feel validated. To understand and bring up teenagers, you have to learn to stop and listen sometimes.
For instance, it wouldn’t be a wise idea to try and superimpose all your ideas on them, no matter how good they seem. This only brings up rebellious teenagers.
At times, your idea is not always the best in the room, and in such cases, allowing them to put in their contribution will go a long way in building a healthy relationship between you and fostering the bonds of family.
Make Time For Them
The importance of alone family time cannot be understated. Set aside specific times and days to do things with your foster teens. Plan fun activities like bike riding, cooking, traveling, visiting the movies e.t.c. This not only makes them feel free around you but also builds some level of trust because of the personal interaction.
In addition, spending time together with your foster teens allows them to open up and tell you if they have any issues that might have been bothering them.
While foster parenting is not an easy task, it is a very noble cause that ensures all our children grow up in caring and loving homes. To donate towards this noble cause or adopt a child today, visit TFI Family Services for more information.