7 myths teens have about their parents
Like their parents, teens can be mislead by myths about the other generation. Jay McGraw, author of Closing the Gap: A Strategy for Bringing Parents and Teens Together, points out some of the untruths teens believe about their parents:
Myth #1 -- Parents don't want their kids to have any fun.
Parents are all for teens having fun, they just prefer that it be safe fun. Kids who understand this look for parent-approved ways to have fun. (It is possible!)
Myth #2 -- Parents are only interested in what their kids can do for them.
Not so! It's not unreasonable for parents to expect kids to help around the house. After all, they're part of the family and will someday run their own households.
Myth #3 -- Parents don't know what it's like to be a teenager.
Parents remember their teen years ... that's why they work so hard to help them through yours. But the only way they can really understand what their own teenager is going through is if there is open and honest communication between them.
Myth #4 -- Parents control their teen's every move.
While parents can exercise control over money, cell phones and cars, they are not the ones who make the minute-by-minute decisions by which teens live their lives.
Myth #5 -- Parents don't want their kids to grow up.
From the day they bring a child home from the hospital, parents want nothing more than to help him grow up healthy and happy. If the issue is "my parents don't treat me like a grown up," it's because teens are not grown up -- and sometimes they're anything but mature...
Myth #6 -- Parents never forget their kids' mistakes.
Parents know and expect that their kid will screw up. They deal with it and move on. What they hope is that their teen learned something from the mistake -- until they do, it may come up again.
Myth #7 -- Parents do not respect their kids' opinions.
Most parents are very interested in what their kids have to say. How they receive it, however, may depend less on what's said and more on how it's delivered.
Recognizing these subtle differences may help parents and teens open the lines of communication and show more respect for one another. The result? A happy household.
To see an alternative viewpoint, check out the previous post 5 myths parents have about their teens.
Myth #1 -- Parents don't want their kids to have any fun.
Parents are all for teens having fun, they just prefer that it be safe fun. Kids who understand this look for parent-approved ways to have fun. (It is possible!)
Myth #2 -- Parents are only interested in what their kids can do for them.
Not so! It's not unreasonable for parents to expect kids to help around the house. After all, they're part of the family and will someday run their own households.
Myth #3 -- Parents don't know what it's like to be a teenager.
Parents remember their teen years ... that's why they work so hard to help them through yours. But the only way they can really understand what their own teenager is going through is if there is open and honest communication between them.
Myth #4 -- Parents control their teen's every move.
While parents can exercise control over money, cell phones and cars, they are not the ones who make the minute-by-minute decisions by which teens live their lives.
Myth #5 -- Parents don't want their kids to grow up.
From the day they bring a child home from the hospital, parents want nothing more than to help him grow up healthy and happy. If the issue is "my parents don't treat me like a grown up," it's because teens are not grown up -- and sometimes they're anything but mature...
Myth #6 -- Parents never forget their kids' mistakes.
Parents know and expect that their kid will screw up. They deal with it and move on. What they hope is that their teen learned something from the mistake -- until they do, it may come up again.
Myth #7 -- Parents do not respect their kids' opinions.
Most parents are very interested in what their kids have to say. How they receive it, however, may depend less on what's said and more on how it's delivered.
Recognizing these subtle differences may help parents and teens open the lines of communication and show more respect for one another. The result? A happy household.
To see an alternative viewpoint, check out the previous post 5 myths parents have about their teens. 
