When puberty begins, the whole enchilada of human aspects changes. Yep all of it including the physical aspect, the emotional maturity, the psychological capacity, the belief system, the social status and social quotient, and even relationship with parents of the adolescent. Sometimes when adolescents feel that they are in the dead end, confused or somehow thinks that no one understands them, they isolate themselves from their family and begins to morph into this new person alien to the parents and siblings. Pero contradictory to common belief that majority of adolescents are swayed by their peers, in some cases its not true. Most of the time, family and parents are the reason why they rebel and turn to extreme measures just to prove their point. Father Michael Sliney of the Legionnaire of Christ and also a confessor and spiritual director of High School boys suggests the following seven necessities for parents of adolescent boys based on his experience: (this might be helpful if you have an adolescent son because reading the list and relating to my own experience when I was an adolescent, they are somehow accurate and true in some degree.

1. Clear guidelines with reasonable consequences from a unified front; cutting slack but also holding boys accountable for their actions.

2. Reasonable explanations for the criteria, guidelines and decisions made by parents.

3. Avoiding hyper-analysis of boys’ emotions and states of mind: avoiding “taking their temperature” too often.

4. Unconditional love with an emphasis on character and effort more than outcome: Encourage boys to live up to their potential while having reasonable expectations. To love them regardless of whether they make it into Harvard or become a star quarterback.

5. Authenticity, faith and fidelity should be reflected in parent’s lifestyles.

6. Qualities of a dad: Manliness, temperance, making significant time for family, putting aside work, and being a reliable source of guidance.

7. Qualities of a mom: Emotional stability, selflessness, loving service and extreme patience.

Though this 7 ways are not absolutely effective on “all cases” yet this will serve as a guideline for understanding and relating to your adolescent boys. One of my most hated thing when I was turning 13 was the nagging voice of my mom haha. But of course, that was years ago.

Source: Zenit