I am a single mom, I had my daughter when I was 23 and when it comes to parenting, I’ve just been figuring it out along the way.
I should mention I have a little girl, she just turned 9. With technology and the internet, I feel like she’s growing up much faster than I did. She has already hit that “Pre-Teen Stage”, and I have to say, I’m having a hard time learning how to navigate parenting right now. So, I’ve been doing a little research and I came across these tips for parenting a pre-teen, and I thought I would share them with you.
10 Tips for Parenting a Pre-Teen.
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- Listen to your pre-teen – Make sure you give them the space to express their feelings and share their thoughts and ideas.
- Develop a respectful relationship – Respect is a two-way street, so make sure your pre-teen knows that you expect respect from them as well.
- Encourage open communication – Remind your pre-teen that you are there for them and that you are open to talking about anything.
- Establish clear boundaries – Set expectations and rules for your pre-teen and make sure you follow through with consequences when necessary.
- Model positive behavior – Your pre-teen will learn from your example, so make sure you are setting a good example for them.
- Show unconditional love – Let your pre-teen know that you love them no matter what and that you will be there for them.
- Praise your pre-teen – Make sure you recognize and praise your pre-teen for their accomplishments and successes.
- Foster independence – Allow your pre-teen to make their own decisions and solve their own problems as they start to gain more independence.
- Nurture their interests – Encourage your pre-teen to explore their interests and passions and help them find ways to pursue those interests.
- Have fun together – Spend quality time together and make sure to have fun with your pre-teen and enjoy their company.
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I know parenting is different for everyone, but hopefully these tips will help. Please leave us a comment with any suggestions or tips you have found helpful with your pre-teen.
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Check out some of our other blog posts here, for tips and tricks for single parents, budget hacks, inspiration and more information about what we do here at SPARC Hope.