Teenager - TV Show Choices
My boy "Michael" he likes certain things which are most confusing, like a T.V. show called "Barney & friends" which is a toddlers program. He's thirteen, is this bad?
Thirteen is a confusing age and your son certainly is not odd to want to watch some silly baby-type TV. He may be a kidder and like to irritate you by having it on while doing homework, laughing to himself and thinking, "she doesn't understand me anyway, so I'll do something dumb." I'd tell him in a friendly conversation that you are amazed he gets so much out of Barney, but it won't help him much with impressing the girls he likes or the amount of academic homework he has to do. That isn't teasing but it's conversation that makes him know you notice. Laugh with him, reminding him that TV actually has other channels! If he doesn't have any friends who know he does this secretive Barney-watch thing, who already make him feel silly watching baby TV, don't you even think of teasing him. Leave that for his friends to do.
Chat with him about everything. Your best method of teenage guidance and discipline is talk-talk-talk and more talk.
It is wonderful he has a mom who is home, who cares and who can be his biggest supporter and friend. Do observe and watch who his friends are, because that is your job to be sure he hangs with the right crowd. And be sure you feel he is getting the most intellectual stimulation he can get, because those hormones are making him feel some of the time like a dork, a goofus or worse and he needs emotional support and your sense of humor. Really smart kids like all kinds of silly stuff that makes then laugh. A sense of humor is a key trait of a smart person.
Tell me more about your son's personality or even more important, learn all you can about his temperament, and compliment him on his talents and skills. If music is his thing, be tolerant of his music, go along with his need for privacy, keep talking and be sure you and your husband agree on the household rules he needs to comply with during these years of "the great divide” either he talks too much and gets wild or he clams up and wants two years of privacy! Parents can't always figure it out, but don't leave him alone to do whatever he wants. No way!
It is key for the family to be involved with school, sports, arts, music, theatre, anything that gets him into activities! He needs to find where his strengths are, not his weaknesses. He needs to belong and to fit into some activity where he is good at it. He needs to know he has talent coming out of his pores and that his brilliance shines, no matter how small a thing. I know a kid who is a big star at school because he has the largest paper route in his suburban neighborhood- he has a hundred and ten customers that can't wait to see him every day and they are all older than his parents. This talent is helping him grow up-rich!!!!!!. Write if his personality and behavior aren't making you see him progress steadily forward and with some degree of satisfaction in his life.
Should you have any question, please Ask Dr. Susan for your free parenting advice.
Free Parenting Videos by Dr. Susan Turben
Order one or both of Dr. Susan Turben's Free Parenting Videos today. Available on DVD and VHS.
