General parenting tips

There is no such thing as a perfect parent but here are a few tips that might help you to build a relationship with a young person that will promote openness, trust, individual responsibility and healthy relationships.

• Young people need a sense of belonging and connectedness; to their family (whatever they say!), to friends (this may be of no surprise to you) and to make a meaningful contribution to their community (this can be in many different ways).
• Firm and consistent limits are essential, but try to involve the young person in negotiating acceptable 'rules'.
• A balance between self-responsibility and support helps a 'child' grow to an 'adult'.
• Young people need to do things differently from their parents and become individuals in their own right.
• Teenagers and young adults often question everything their families say and do. Try to stay confident in yourself, but also be open to learning
• Mistakes happen. Use mistakes - whether by you or the young person - to learn and keep moving forward.