To ask for your best teen boy parenting tips

[RubyRubyRubyDiamond]

Please. Based on the top tips for parenting children thread.

Set up their phones so you can track them. That way, you will always know where they are, even if they are reluctant to tell you or lying

Nutrition and sleep. Lots of both.

The calorie requirements of a growing male teen, are higher than an adult male doing heavy physical labour.

Sleep; during those big-growth years they need a lot more sleep every night than they did when they were 10. More than most parents think (and far more than the teens think). Their bones grow and brains develop during sleep periods. Not enough sleep results in that grunting shambling zombie effect. Aim for at least 9 hours.

** RubyRubyRubyDiamond
Some really useful tips on here. ‘
Lay the foundations well before they are a teen’Unfortunately i don’t have the luxury of this.
Unless your teen has arrived newly in your life, if you're the sort of parent who would ask this question, I'd say you already did.** it’s a long term fostering type arrangement

Yep yep re the listening. Let them talk when they want to and welcome it. Never mind what it is about,. just listen.

DS2 is v sporty and would never say much on the way to a sporting thing (not just matches and comps, training too) but on the way home he would be much more vocal, both about the session and other stuff.

Other thoughts; don't put pressure on re exams, tho it is OK to discuss options and opportunities; don't expect them to like what you like or even what they used to like; make sure they have access to deodorant and shower gel and encourage use of same; be open minded re friends and welcome them into the house; make sure you always have snacks that they like; don't worry too much if they suddenly retreat to their room and are not seen in daylight hours, this is normal.

Lots of food available at all times. Make your expectations about their behavior crystal clear (they may not always meet those expectations but they are clear what they are). I think the biggest one for us is being consistent with what we say. If we say we are going to do something, do it. If they are given a consequence for behavior - follow through (even though it then often becomes your punishment too). My boys need/ed structure in their world.

@RubyRubyRubyDiamond

** RubyRubyRubyDiamond Some really useful tips on here. ‘ Lay the foundations well before they are a teen’Unfortunately i don’t have the luxury of this. Unless your teen has arrived newly in your life, if you're the sort of parent who would ask this question, I'd say you already did.** it’s a long term fostering type arrangement

I wasn't being facetious OP, it was a genuine recognition that you may have begun parenting your teen later in his life, and a compliment to your parenting that you would ask. Sorry if it came across clumsily.

Tell them you love them and are proud of them. Every day. Even when they're driving you mad
Hug them, ask them how they are.
See the things they need help with, without them having to ask (like shaving - can be embarrassing for them.)
Be nonchalant but interested. When they speak, listen - properly - no distractions, no phones.
Show an interest in their friends, their girlfriends or boyfriends.
Encourage them to find their own solutions rather than solving stuff for them.
Challenge them when it's needed. Set your boundaries but trust them to also set their own, eventually.
Let them go, gently, knowing you have their back, you are their safe place, you will always support them.

Good idea to actually do things with them.
Take them somewhere, the driving range?
Mine hadn't tried golf so we went to the driving range, fun new but on one spot so good for talking.
I always find them easier to chat to with "distraction s"
Food is good also

I can just About still cycle with mine and have a chat at the destination.

@ 5128gap ah ok thank you 😊

Mine is 13... So far...
Talk when travelling
Respect their space
Mine messages via whats app if he doesn't want to talk face to face
I try to remind him to be respectful and responsible
He has a phone curfew set on his phone digital balance for 11pm week days midnight Fri and Sat. He's happy it's set and passworded so he gets decent sleep.
Have plenty snack food available
Start a hygiene routine early... Supply deoderent regularly and remind to spray
DS knows his friends are welcome here and I'm happy to drop him off or pick up if need be
Teach them to open bedroom windows to air out boy stink lol