What parents can do this summer

What parents can do this summer is written by Ceaser Brijandez, youth and family counselor who works with teens for SAY San Diego in partnership with the County of San Diego.
Here's what Ceaser had to say about our topic today:
"Spending a summer with teenagers can be challenging. One of the greatest challenges comes from teenagers thinking they are adults but are not quite there yet. Here are some tips on how teenagers think and plan their activities, and how parents can help:

• Most teenagers lack experience in making decisions and tend to procrastinate.
• Most teenagers are in “limbo” when making decisions on activities to take on.
• As you discuss plans for your summer, the important thing to do is listen to teenagers when they talk about an interest or potential hobby.
• Teenagers want to be heard before they are told what to do.
• When teenagers talk about an issue or concern it is important to encourage them. Teenagers need encouragement to make the decisions and embark on a new activity.
• Remember to model appropriate behavior to your teenager. The best way for them to learn is for them to see how patient you are or how to handle yourself in a difficult moment.
• Allow for “last minute changes in plans! Teens may not share all of the information you need at first, or they may not even have all the information as they start making their plans…. so it helps if parents can be flexible and adjust to last minute changes …. surprise, surprise: teens, like everyone else, aren’t perfect !!"

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