Parents would make every effort to maintain good relations with their kids. No matter which stage of life their kids are at, they would always want to have a loving and understanding relationship with children. Sometimes, the relationships are not as smooth as parents expect them to be. During teen years, despite all the mood swings and confrontations, parents don’t usually want to strain the bond with their kids. But if it happens, they would want to mend a relationship with their teens.

Own up to it

If you, as a parent, have said or done anything which has escalated the tension between you and your teen, then the best approach is to own up to it and solve the issue. Even if it is something really trivial like misunderstanding what your child said or something huge like not being an attentive parent all your life, you can still begin by admitting your mistakes and try to make amends. This will not make you any less of a parent to your kids, rather it will make your kids realize that you, like everyone else, are a human and can make mistakes too, and that trying to improve things with them is a sign of you being a great parent. Also, this is one way of winning their trust.

Discuss the future

Do not indulge in the past mistakes of your teen. Once you have decided to work through your relationship, focus on the mending part and start working on a better future for your kids. If the teen has promised not to repeat his mistakes, it’s better for the parents not to doubt their intentions. For example, if a teen has committed a DUI in the past, but has apologized and shown improvement in his behavior, it’s not wise to question their intentions when they ask to drive independently again though a few words of caution won’t be amiss.

It is good parenting to keep track of your teens’ activities and make sure they do not repeat their mistakes. However, by doing so do not get over critical and strain your relationship with your teen.

Seek professional help

Sometimes it’s out of the hands of parents and teens to work out the differences that weigh heavy on their relationship. In such situations, instead of avoiding the issues at hand get some professional help from a therapist or family counselor. This will help you gain an understanding of your problems and find a way to resolve them. Parents should not feel ashamed to seek out professional help. Admitting to counseling does not mean that the parents have failed in their responsibilities. Sometimes, one needs an expert’s view and help to life’s most intimate and closest relations.

The steps mentioned above are not hard and fast rules. Of course, every relationship is unique and each individual has a different way of perceiving and dealing with the issues. However, the best approach is to give it some time and thought to understand a problem from different aspects.