- Don't tell your children about your own childhood struggles while they're still young. They won't be able to respond to any of it, but they'll feel guilty that they can't help you. The time for them to show you sympathy will come once your children are grown.
- Please allow your teenager personal time that's entirely theirs to use as they see fit.
- Higher education isn't necessary for everyone. There are now plenty of ways to earn a living without a college degree.
- Raising a child in a controlling, authoritarian style leads to cowardice and sneaky, underhanded behavior.
- Let them be who they are. They can't change, but they need your support.
- Never say, “You're too young to understand.”
- If you choose your child's education and career for them, the consequences will disappoint you.
- Even top students and exceptional athletes can be prone to suicidal thoughts.
- Mental health always comes first.
- 1 in 5 teenagers with mental health conditions (such as depression, for example) is able to cope with it entirely on their own.
- Self-harm among teenagers is more common than you think. It's not always cutting, and not always on the wrists. Pay attention to this!
- Sex education doesn't teach them anything (they already know).
- Tattoos and piercings are now a common phenomenon across all kinds of social and age groups.
- If a teenager has depression, don't call their condition laziness. That can hurt far more than you realize.
- If their grades suddenly drop, don't leave the situation unattended. Find out the reasons.
- Many teenagers have low self-esteem. Don't make it worse.
- Schoolwork is harder now than it used to be.
- Not everyone on the internet is a predator.
- It's normal now to make friends online.
- Take teenagers seriously.
- Don't take away their computer or phone — it may be their only connection to people who understand and care about them.
- Don't get angry at them for always being on their phone or computer. Yelling and scenes from parents are a real nightmare when you're trying to talk with friends.
