It was during my 13-year-old's annual checkup that the doctor informed me that my parenting days are numbered. "You no longer have the greatest influence over your teenager. In fact, you come in fourth behind friends, teachers, and his doctor," he told me glibly. While I mentally threw a tantrum over his blasé inditement on my role as a parent, I considered whether I was willing to tuck my tail and move to the back of the line.
Admittedly, as I've moved into the role of parenting a teenager, the time that we spend together has been more restricted. Of course, that limits my overall influence, but I'm completely unwilling to watch from the back and hope for the best as my kids traverse their most formative years. Fortunately, by a heap of dumb luck, I have built some habits prior to the "dreaded teen years" that I hope will serve to carry my influence just a bit further and create a positive relationship with my teens.
1. Eat dinner together.
2. Put away your phone at the table and when you drive.
3. Set aside time to talk about their day.
4. Make physical contact.
5. Interact with their technology.
6. Spend time with their friends.
7. Understand their interests.
8. Find a hobby to share.
9. Tuck them into bed.
10. Let them fail (or succeed).
