Supporting your teenager

Parenting can be very rewarding and very challenging. Many parents find their teenager’s behaviour worrying and knowing how best to support your teenager as a parent or carer can be difficult.

There are a range of organisations, both locally and nationally, that offer support and advice. This might be in the form of online advice, one-to-one support, taking part in parenting programmes to help you understand your teenager, or joining a support group to share your experiences and concerns. There are also free online courses to support you in your parenting role, strengthen your parenting skills and build a positive relationship with your teenager.

Being a teenager can be difficult and confusing, but young people still need their parents/carers around to offer support and guidance!

The NHS offers the following advice to help parents and carers of teenagers:

• decide what the boundaries are - boundaries are a sign that you care
• listen when they do want to talk
• allow them to learn from their own mistakes
• talk to them about your concerns calmly
• allow them to have their own space and privacy

A number of local services offer support to parents and carers of teenagers, including:

Parenting with Love and Limits – a free programme for parents and carers who are having difficulty controlling the behaviour of their teenage child (age 12-16). The programme offers practical guidance to parents and carers living in Islington and Camden.

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) – supports parents to strengthen their parenting skills and enhance relationships with their children.

The Brandon Centre – Parent and Family Support.

Other organisations that can help:

Parenting teenagers | Relate – Practical advice on common teenage issues

Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds – Online information and advice. Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544, 9.30am – 4pm, Monday to Friday. Webchat and email service also available.

Teenagers | Family Lives – advice on communicating with teenagers, behaviour, health and wellbeing, and much more.

Take a look at the links on this page for more information, help and support.