Keys to Family Happiness/ Preparing Teens for Adulthood

"Talking to my sons used to be pleasant.  They listened carefully  to what I had to say, and responded immediately.  But now that they are teenagers, we have conflicts over everything.  They even question our spiritual routine.  'Do we really have to talk about the Bible?' they ask.  Before my sons hit puberty,  I never imagined that this would happen to my family-even when I saw it happen to others." - Reggie.

ARE you raising an adolescent?  If so, you are witnessing one of the most fascinating stages of your child's growth. It can also be one of the most nerve-racking.  Do the following scenarios sound familiar?

* When your son was younger, he as like a boat tied to a dock-you. Now as a teenager, he is tugging at the rope, eager to set sail, and you get the impression  that you are not invited on board. 

* When your daughter was a child, she told you everything. Now as a teenager, he has formed a 'social club' with her friends, and you feel as if you were not granted a membership.

If something similar is happening in your home, do not hastily conclude that your child  is becoming an irreformable rebel. What is happening then?  To answer that question, let us consider the pivotal role that adolescence plays in your child's development. 

Next time: Keys to Family Happiness/ Adolescence - A Milestone

From the jw.org publications