Coming home to your little one is an absolute delight, isn’t it? For kids under ten, the excitement is palpable. They rush to the door, eyes gleaming, eager to know all about your day. “Hey! Where were you? What’s for dinner? Can we play? Look at this cool rock I found!” It’s akin to returning to a joyful golden retriever puppy, their boundless energy nearly knocking you off your feet as they express their joy at your arrival.
Now, contrast that with the experience of coming home to a tween or teenager. After a lengthy absence, they may leisurely stroll into the kitchen, asking, “When did you get home? Is there anything to munch on?” Or, they might not even acknowledge your return, lost in their own world. If they do notice, you might be greeted with a huffy, “Where have you been?!” quickly followed by some demand or complaint. Parenting a tween or teen can feel strikingly similar to having a moody, opinionated Siamese cat that is always hungry but rarely appreciative.
This shift from the exuberant puppy phase to the more aloof cat stage can be quite distressing for parents. There’s no heads-up about this change. Sure, friends with older kids might have tried to warn you, but did you really believe that your little angels would ever act like that?
Unlike puppies, cats are notoriously harder to train. But train them we must, since returning them to the “shelter” is not an option. Although, rumor has it that you could consider an exchange student from another country, giving yours a fresh start in a family in Sweden or Mexico, who might have lower expectations of an American teenager. Nevertheless, since we’re likely to live with these “cats” for the better part of a decade, we can’t just give up on them; otherwise, they’ll wreak havoc in our home.
Training a cat is an entirely different ball game compared to a puppy. While puppies might respond to rewards and consequences (in theory), cats prefer negotiation and a touch of diplomacy, when they feel like engaging at all. Cats appreciate respect; even if we’re frustrated with their behavior, showing genuine care can lead to more compliance with our seemingly unreasonable requests. Yell at a cat, and it will look at you like you’re speaking Martian before it puts on its headphones and tunes you out.
The secret to managing your relationship with a tween or teen is to fully embrace this “cat-owner” existence. Keep in mind the odd truth that a well-nurtured and disciplined feline can eventually evolve into an adult human you admire and respect—one who might even come to the door to greet you warmly.
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In summary, navigating the transition from little kids to teens can be challenging, requiring patience and understanding. Embrace the quirks of your growing child and know that with time, they may emerge as a thoughtful and appreciative adult.
Keyphrase: parenting tweens and teens
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