Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today’s teens do want to consider their parents as friends, even though they think we could never understand
realities of their world. They are also interested in what it was like being a teenager during Stone Age. Life without cell phones or Internet must have been unimaginable! So even with this interest, can parents and teens really become best friends when competing with busy schedules, and raging hormones? The answer is a resounding YES…and it is worth effort!
What is important to understand is that both of you have to want new relationship on a long-term basis. You cannot appear to be going through motions, or acting like you are fitting this new relationship into your busy schedules.
As a father, I knew I was a good provider. I put food on table, a roof over their head, and helped fund those great sales that saved me so much money.
As important as father role is, it was improving “Dad” role that allowed me to develop a lasting relationship with my teenagers. Essentially, I modified communication and problem-solving skills that I successfully used at work to improve my relationship with them.
The following are ten ways that will help you to become one of your teenager’s best friends:
1. Define what trust means to each of you. Agree that there will be no games or hidden agendas—just honesty—to build trust.
2. Agree that mutual trust is earned by exhibiting consistent behavior. The amount of trust that you develop will be proportionate to amount of freedom that they will enjoy.
3. Anything that is discussed with you must be kept in strictest of confidence. This will help reinforce trust.
4. Talk to your teens as adults while remembering that they are still kids. This allows for flexibility during those trying adolescent years.
