Have you ever felt like you were in the Twilight Zone? It seems suddenly there are tall strangers in your house eating up your food, sucking the money from your wallet and the very life out of you.
Fear not these are not aliens sent here to harm you, but they are your children on their way to adulthood.
This hectic time is known as the teenage years.
This is when your kids are no longer little kids and are now considered to be teenagers.
You must now get to know the new people they are becoming.
You must now help them on their journey to discovering who they are.
Although they may not realize it they need you now more than ever.
It is your job as parents to help them make the transition from kid to adult.
As parents you must remain strong for their sake.
The road will be very rocky.
Here are five ways to help you help them make it through.
The first way is to listen to them.
Keep the door of communication always open and be there for them no matter what.
Remember that you were once where they are and you went through the same things.
Think about how you successfully handled various issues and pass that knowledge on to them.
The second way is to rule with a stern but loving hand.
Setting boundaries for them shows you love them.
All teenagers at some point say they want to be able to do what they want.
In actuality all of them want and need boundaries.
They need to know what is and is not acceptable behavior.
As parents it is your job to know what your kids are doing and more importantly who they are doing it with.
You must meet their friends and associates.
With the dawn of the internet you must also know who they are chatting with online.
If something doesn't feel right go with your gut and act on your instincts.
Remember having your kid mad at you for protecting them is better than having no kid at all because you did nothing to protect them.
The third way is to be their parent as well as their friend.
Spend time with your teens.
Do things that they want to do.
Share new experiences together.
Create new memories that will last a lifetime.
Be open to them giving you advice.
Remember they are your kids.
You raised them.
Try to trust their opinions.
The fourth way is to give them encouragement.
Let them know you believe in them.
The fifth and most important way is to love them unconditionally.
Let them know you are proud of them.
Tell them you love them everyday.
Let them know you like who they are.
Never let them question if they are loved.
You must show them by your actions.
Remember actions speak louder than words.
Remember our kids are an extension of ourselves and we want to extend them on the right path not the wrong one.