Your nineteen-year-old is in the process of learning and establishing lifestyle habits that will extend throughout their lifetime. Although your teen is considered an adult, they still have a lot to learn. Giving teens the chance to make choices now while parents and those in a parenting role are able to lend support, will make them better prepared when they leave home. Parenting a teen while also allowing them independence is not easy. Parents and those in a parenting role can do simple things today to build a strong relationship with their teen. A healthy relationship will allow you to guide your teen in managing their own behavior, solving problems, and making healthy choices. ParentingMontana.org provides a process and tools for parents and those in a parenting role to engage their teens in meaningful interactions to grow their skills for a successful future. This podcast shares ParentingMontana.org resources that will teach you to support your teen in building vital social and emotional skills.

Watching your teen gain more independence in the world is exciting as well as nerve racking. ParentingMontana.org provides parents and those in a parenting role tools to support their teens’ growth during this important transition to adulthood. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services partnered with the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University to promote healthy mental, emotional, and behavioral growth through the resources available from ParentingMontana.org. While initially developed for parents and those in a parenting role in Montana, these parenting tools are relevant for parents everywhere.

The process you will learn to use in this podcast includes the following five steps: Gain Input, Teach, Practice, Support, and Recognize. Following this process in your daily interactions with your teen empowers them to understand themselves and face challenges while growing a genuine relationship with you. The key to many parenting challenges is finding ways to communicate so that both your needs and your teen’s needs are met. After gaining confidence using the process, you and your teen will be prepared to overcome struggles today and in the future. The tools available for parenting your nineteen-year-old include: Anger, Back Talk, Bullying, Chores, Confidence, Conflict, Discipline, Establishing Rules About Alcohol, Friends, Homework, Listening, Lying, Mixed Messages About Alcohol, Peer Pressure, Reading, Routines, and Stress. Listen today to strengthen your relationship with your teen while growing their skills for success!