How Well Do You Know Your Children? -"What Happened to My Child?"

Wisdom and Understanding

A Bible proverb says:  "Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding." (Proverbs 4:5)  Both qualities are essential when dealing with an adolescent. You  need understanding to look beyond the behavior and perceive just what your child is going through.  You also need wisdom to respond in a way that continues to guide your teen toward responsible adulthood.

Do not be fooled by what appears to be an ever-widening gap in the relationship between you and your son or daughter.  The fact is, adolescents need-and even want- their parent's involvement during this challenging stage of life.  How can understanding and wisdom help you to provide such guidance? 

RAISING ADOLESCENTS -The Role of Understanding 

Suppose you were visiting a foreign land and you did not speak the native tongue. No doubt, communication would be difficult-but not impossible.  For example, a phrase book could help you to learn the basic expressions of the language.  Or perhaps someone could translate for you so that you would be able to understand others-and be understood by them. 

PARENTS raising teenagers may sometimes feel that they are in a similar situation. Much like a foreign language, the behavior of adolescents may be difficult-but not impossible-to comprehend.  The key is for parents to try to interpret just what is happening during this sometime exciting, but often confusing, stage of growth. 

Next time: RAISING ADOLESCENTS - The Role of Understanding/ Behind the Behavior

From the Awake!  magazine