As we age, we often quickly forget the struggles we encounter in adolescence. Although many of us promised decades ago not to become like our parents, somehow fate caused us to embrace exactly what we once despised. Now, with our own children, their behavior seems strange and we panic. Instead of conquering our desire to be role models for our children and their best friends, we find ourselves struggling to maintain a solid influence in their lives. Sounds familiar?

By following the steps that led to my rebellion when I was young and dealing with my own teenage children, I was able to discover some workable tips for parents to maintain my parents’ influence and block the wiles of adverse peer pressure. The key to my success has been fostering my children’s desire to be successful and independent.

Think about it. Many of us were eager to come of age, so we no longer had to listen to our parents and could explore life on our own. Our children are no different! In their minds, our rules are set simply to keep them from having fun. They believe that when they finally get out on their own, the good times will begin.

Often times when we drown our children and enforce too many strict rules, we cause them to rebel. Worse yet, when they finally break free, they go crazy! This rebellious behavior is in many cases extremely destructive. To avoid this tragic fate, we must develop confidence and foster the maturity and independence of our children.

It was very helpful for me to assess my children and discover their deepest wishes and dreams. Regardless of how far these dreams were from my own expectations, I embraced them and decided to help them establish an action plan to achieve their goals. Nothing has been more rewarding than seeing the glow on my children’s faces when they saw that I genuinely embraced and supported their dreams and could provide helpful advice to address their desires. During our countless hours of planning, I have been able to establish trust while fostering a sense of pride and independence within them.

Working together on life projects with your children will eventually bring them closer together. It will be amazing how many similar gifts and talents they have inherited from you. Spending quality time working on a project they are excited about gives you the opportunity to see your children open up and express who they really are, without worrying about being rejected or judged.

Trust your parenting skills and never guess. If you’ve done your job of instilling morals and values ​​in your children, they will finally stand up, no matter what! Be open and let them explore. Let them know that you trust and believe in them. As you show your support for their independence, they will eventually accept you more.

You want to know what is really going on in your children’s lives and what really motivates them. Sit down and have a conversation today about collaborating with them on a project they will enjoy. Teach them how to set goals, how to research and find answers, and how to persevere through adversity. I guarantee that they will accept your advice and you will build a strong and healthy relationship that will last for many years. Put this simple tip into practice and you will turn an awkward relationship into a close bond that creates success!