Being a parent is one of, if not the, most difficult jobs.
When you are a new parent, you have a lot to learn. And, when your little one grows into their teenage years, you find that you still have a lot to learn. If you are struggling to parent your teen, regardless of the reasons, you do have options for help, tips, support, and advice.
From overcoming minor problems to strengthening your relationship to handling difficult situations and topics, these websites are great starting points.
1. ParentingTeens.com
For a website completely dedicated to the reason you are reading this article comes ParentingTeens.com. You can read useful articles about teen depression, bullying, eating disorders, and building good relationships.
When you arrive on the home page, you will find simple shortcuts to browse the site and a search feature for specific topics. You can browse the articles and subscribe to the magazine which is conveniently available on iOS mobile devices.
2. Your Teen Magazine for Parents
Another helpful site that offers a magazine counterpart is Your Teen Magazine for Parents. The website has a clean navigation so that you can select from topics like school, social life, health, and family. And, most of the subjects are teen-related, as you would expect from the name.
You can also check out the Drugs & Alcohol section for assistance on discussing substance abuse with your teen. And, the Tech area is helpful with internet and social media monitoring and rules. If you find the website helpful, you can subscribe to the print magazine.
3. Child Development Institute
The Child Development Institute website is a wonderful resource for parents who have children of all ages. But, specifically for teens you can review articles to help your child with peer pressure, self-esteem, health concerns, and social development.
You can click here to go directly to the teen and adolescent section of the site. Alternatively, you can visit the Child Development Institute homepage and navigate from the top menu. Go to Expert Articles, select The Ages and Stages of Child Development, and then scroll down to Adolescents/Teenagers (13--18 years) for links to articles and blog posts.
4. Aha! Parenting
Aha! Parenting is similar to the Child Development Institute site in that you can get parenting advice for newborns through teenager years. When you visit the website, just select Early Teen (13--15 years old) or Teenagers (16--18 years old) from the top navigation.
For the early teen years, you can read articles on how to help your teen develop good values and solid judgment. You can then check out advice for older teens on positive parenting, connecting with your child, and how to start discussions on topics like college and alcohol.
5. KidsHealth From Nemours
The KidsHealth from Nemours site also provides information for parents who have children of various ages. But the advice offered for parents of teens is extensive. With articles on understanding your teen better, choosing your battles, and knowing the warning signs of trouble, you have options for a variety of important topics.
You can click here to go directly to the adolescent area of the site. Or visit the KidsHealth parent home page, type Adolescent in the search box, and then click A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years from the results.
6. Helpguide.org
Helpguide.org has an area dedicated to helping parents of troubled teens. This section covers problems including anger, violence, and behavioral issues. You can review details for recognizing the red flags and tips for trying to correct the situation.
If you are unable to visit the correct section with this link to the site, you can navigate there in a few clicks. When you land on the homepage, select Search from the top navigation and enter Troubled Teen into the search box. Then, click Help for Parents of Troubled Teens from the results.
7. Dr. Phil
Who better to help families in trouble than Dr. Phil? Whether you are a fan of the Dr. Phil show or not, the website provides a nice variety of articles to help with your teenager. The articles here tackle serious issues such as domestic violence and birth control. But you will also find advice on breaking your teen's bad habits and steps for good parenting.
You can visit the troubled teen section here. Or to browse all related articles, you can navigate easily from the home page. Under Dr. Phil's Advice from the top, click Parenting, and then select the Pre-Teens/Teens tab.
8. Focus on the Family
From handling teen romance to preparing for the future, Focus on the Family provides advice on a variety of subjects. Just browse through the series offered for topics in technology use and misuse, friendship, mental health, and communication. Or, pop a keyword into the search box for a specific subject.
When you arrive on the Focus on the Family homepage, click Parenting and then Teens. (If you do not see Teens in the tags, click the All Topics arrow and choose if from there.) Then, you can browse the articles and view the very helpful Teen Rebellion Series.
9. P&G Everyday
For a website that is on the lighter side of teen parenting tips, check out P&G Everyday. From Proctor & Gamble, this resource offers articles and posts with a Pinterest look and feel. And, if you have comments or know another parent who could benefit from the post, you have those options at the end of each article.
Access the teens section by clicking here or select Family and then Teens from the top navigation. You can also choose Parents and browse through the articles in that area. Just note that the Teens section includes articles for your kids as well as for you. And, the Parents area covers those with children of all ages.
Additional Resources
When the situation is more serious than simple tips and advice can solve, you may need more help. These additional resources are here to assist you when and if you need them.
- Troubledteens.com [No Longer Available] from Turning Winds Academic Institute
- Eckerd Kids
- Troubled Teen Help
- P.U.R.E. (Parents Universal Resource Experts)
You Are Not Alone
There is no right answer to the question of how to parent a teen in every situation. Whether it is a tiny issue or a serious problem, just remember that you are not alone. Hopefully, these resources will help you with whichever type of circumstances your family is currently facing.
Have you used any of these websites for advice, tips, or help with your teen? Or maybe you have a different resource that you would like to recommend to other parents. Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments below!
Image Credits: Valery Sidelnykov/Shutterstock