How to Avoid Embarrassing Your Teen

Do you inadvertently embarrass your teen? Read on to discover tips on how to prevent yourself from doing so. All good things come to an end and our cute little child eventually grows up one day into a teen. It is important, as parents, to understand the changes that our child goes through at this age. It becomes necessary to ensure that our actions as parents do not embarrass our teen. If you constantly embarrass your teen in front of others, you could find that you have a hostile teen on your hand. Avoid embarrassing situations in public There are two main ways in which you can embarrass your teen. One is by overly fussing over him, challenging his independence. The other is by indulging in some activity that makes your teen feel that "you arent acting your age". Your teen may enjoy playing tennis with you rather than have you skateboard with him at the local park. As for the former, it is better to fuss over your teen only behind closed doors, and when there is only your family about. This will take some time to get used to, depending on how much you usually pamper your child. Sometimes it may not be overly obvious to you that you have embarrassed your teen. Strive to understand your teens point of you and you will easily identify certain habits of your own that put him in the spot. Knowing how your teen expects you to behave, helps break the ice. Teens today will point out things that make them feel self conscious by giving instruction, such as, "Mom, stop doing that!". As a parent you may often dismiss such comments. However, heeding them will help in putting your teen at ease. Avoid scolding or reprimanding your teen in anyway when they are in the public eye. This also extends to when they are having friends over. However, there is a thin line to tread here, as sometimes you may find that your teen is overly mischievous and needs correction. The world has changed. What you enjoyed doing as a teen is no longer cool and is most probably embarrassing for your teen. Do not try to relive those days with your teen as it will probably just embarrass him. Trying to involve yourself in his favourite pastime or what he is currently into may also cause your teen to feel embarrassed. For example, skating with your teen might cramp his style and embarrass him. Try not to encroach on his personal space. Your teen may shrink away from public displays of affection towards him. This does not mean that he does not love you any more. Rather, it is up to you to talk to your teen and find out what he is comfortable with. You can always reinforce and state your feelings in ways that will not put your teen in the spot. Avoid telling the whole world what your teen is up to. Learn to respect your teens private life. It is natural for parents to be proud of their teen and want to show off. However, the teen may not want to be put in the spotlight in this manner. Apologise to your teen if you realise that your behaviour has embarrassed them. This is a good precedent and works both ways. Let your teen stand up for himself in difficult situations. Over-cuddling him or protecting him will be a blow to his self esteem and might embarrass him in front of his friends. When your teen has his friends over, ensure that they have a place where they get privacy but where you can occasionally peep in to check up unobtrusively. Having you constantly look over your teens shoulder can be embarrassing at times. Treat your teenager with respect, in the same manner that you would treat any other adult. This will help prevent any embarrassing moments. When dealing with teens, it is good to recollect Stephen Coveys Seven Habits of highly effective people, and his emphasis on seeking to understand before you are understood. Such is the case with teens of today. Unless you understand how exactly you are embarrassing your teen, you will not know how to behave with him and reach a common ground.

Do you inadvertently embarrass your teen? Read on to discover tips on how to prevent yourself from doing so.

All good things come to an end and our cute little child eventually grows up one day into a teen. It is important, as parents, to understand the changes that our child goes through at this age. It becomes necessary to ensure that our actions as parents do not embarrass our teen. If you constantly embarrass your teen in front of others, you could find that you have a hostile teen on your hand.

Avoid embarrassing situations in public

• There are two main ways in which you can embarrass your teen. One is by overly fussing over him, challenging his independence. The other is by indulging in some activity that makes your teen feel that "you aren't acting your age". Your teen may enjoy playing tennis with you rather than have you skateboard with him at the local park. As for the former, it is better to fuss over your teen only behind closed doors, and when there is only your family about. This will take some time to get used to, depending on how much you usually pamper your child.
• Sometimes it may not be overly obvious to you that you have embarrassed your teen. Strive to understand your teen's point of you and you will easily identify certain habits of your own that put him in the spot. Knowing how your teen expects you to behave, helps break the ice. Teens today will point out things that make them feel self conscious by giving instruction, such as, "Mom, stop doing that!". As a parent you may often dismiss such comments. However, heeding them will help in putting your teen at ease.
• Avoid scolding or reprimanding your teen in anyway when they are in the public eye. This also extends to when they are having friends over. However, there is a thin line to tread here, as sometimes you may find that your teen is overly mischievous and needs correction.
• The world has changed. What you enjoyed doing as a teen is no longer cool and is most probably embarrassing for your teen. Do not try to relive those days with your teen as it will probably just embarrass him. Trying to involve yourself in his favourite pastime or what he is currently into may also cause your teen to feel embarrassed. For example, skating with your teen might cramp his style and embarrass him. Try not to encroach on his personal space.
• Your teen may shrink away from public displays of affection towards him. This does not mean that he does not love you any more. Rather, it is up to you to talk to your teen and find out what he is comfortable with. You can always reinforce and state your feelings in ways that will not put your teen in the spot.
• Avoid telling the whole world what your teen is up to. Learn to respect your teen's private life. It is natural for parents to be proud of their teen and want to show off. However, the teen may not want to be put in the spotlight in this manner.
• Apologise to your teen if you realise that your behaviour has embarrassed them. This is a good precedent and works both ways.
• Let your teen stand up for himself in difficult situations. Over-cuddling him or protecting him will be a blow to his self esteem and might embarrass him in front of his friends.
• When your teen has his friends over, ensure that they have a place where they get privacy but where you can occasionally peep in to check up unobtrusively. Having you constantly look over your teen's shoulder can be embarrassing at times.
• Treat your teenager with respect, in the same manner that you would treat any other adult. This will help prevent any embarrassing moments.

When dealing with teens, it is good to recollect Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of highly effective people, and his emphasis on seeking to understand before you are understood. Such is the case with teens of today. Unless you understand how exactly you are embarrassing your teen, you will not know how to behave with him and reach a common ground.