Teen Parenting Tips: Don't Have Serious Talk Before 9pm

(Dan Tri) - Below are some subtle behavioral tips to help parents improve their relationships with their teenage children.

Characteristics of the teenage brain

The latest research on the human brain shows that from the ages of 11 to 20, the teenage brain continues to undergo dramatic changes.

In teenage boys, the development of the areas of rational control and behavioral inhibition usually occurs about two years later than in girls. This explains why teenage boys are more likely to make impulsive decisions.

Understanding that their child's brain is still developing, parents should reduce scolding and focus on creating the best environment for their child's brain to continue to develop well.

Sleeping in is not bad.

If your child has trouble sleeping, goes to bed late, and still feels sleepy the next morning, parents should not try to force their child to wake up early (Illustration: DM).

The most important time for brain development and recovery for teenagers is a long night's sleep. Sleep-deprived teenagers often have poor mental health and are prone to making bad decisions.

However, in teenagers, the hormone melatonin that helps the body fall asleep is secreted later, which makes them tend to go to bed late and wake up late.

Even if you encourage your child to go to bed early, if he has trouble falling asleep, goes to bed late, and still feels sleepy the next morning, parents should not force him to wake up early unless there is a really necessary reason. Respect your child's natural biological rhythm and create conditions for him to get enough sleep.

After a day of studying, around 9pm is the time when the adolescent brain is at its most alert at the end of the day. This is the ideal time for parents to have a serious talk with their children.

Risk-taking tendencies

Nowadays, teenagers often “take risks” in the virtual world . The “risk control” function in the brain is still not fully developed, but the “risk-taking spirit” is quite strong. This makes many teenagers easily fall into dangerous situations, often not because of foolishness, but because they want to show off to their friends.

Parents should guide their children to positive challenges such as playing sports or pursuing the arts. Parents should also “rehearse” scenarios with their children to help them escape awkward situations and avoid reckless racing like their friends.

Parents must learn to advance and retreat appropriately.

Teenage is a period full of contradictions, sometimes wanting to push parents away to show that they have grown up, but sometimes wanting to be pampered and comforted by their parents.

From around the age of 12, children begin to become more independent, may start arguing with their parents, and even think that their parents are... outdated. This is an inevitable process to gradually form an independent ego.

At this time, parents should not view their child's opposition as an insult. Everyday actions such as driving your child to school or inviting your child to the supermarket can open up opportunities to increase connection with your child.

Parents should make it a habit to share briefly with their children, suddenly invite them to go out and do something together, and most importantly: put down the phone when they want to talk.

The "contradictory" child, but still wants to be cared for

Practice having short, timely, and open-ended 5-minute conversations that will make your child want to share more (Illustration: DM).

Many parents feel ignored by their children when they enter adolescence. Every word they say is like "water off a duck's back", slipping away and not creating the desired impact on their children.

According to a study, from puberty, children's brains begin to respond less to their parents' voices and pay attention more when listening to strangers' voices, so parents should sympathize with their children.

Instead of forcing your child to listen and share with you, parents should show active curiosity for their child. Try asking your child about the games they are playing, about the content on social networks that interests them.

Practice having short, timely, open-ended 5-minute conversations that will get your child wanting to share more.

Also, try talking to your child while walking or biking together, rather than looking directly into his eyes while talking. This conversational position is especially effective with teenage boys.

When an argument breaks out, take a deep breath and pay attention to how you communicate with your child.

If you feel anger rising, parents should leave for a while (Illustration: DM).

Conflict between parents and children is inevitable. But how parents react when conflict arises will shape the relationship.

If you feel anger rising, leave the room for a while, perhaps go to your room, take a deep breath, and try to calm down. If you cannot avoid an argument, focus on a specific issue that needs to be discussed with your child, such as why your child has been coming home late. Parents should not expand the conversation, bringing up many issues at once.

When talking to your teenager, parents should keep their tone gentle and their attitude sincere. This approach will ease tense conversations and make it easier for parents to discipline their child.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/bi-quyet-nuoi-day-con-tuoi-teen-dung-noi-chuyen-nghiem-tuc-truoc-9h-toi-20250714202028502.htm