What Teens Say About Their Dads
- "Say ‘no' only once ‘cause I get it, even if I don't say I do." Marilyn, 14
- "I wish he'd remember what rules he resented when he was my age." Wanda, 14
- "I need him to make it really clear what all the rules are and what his expectations are." Hank, 12
- "A dad should only forbid stuff that will have a permanent consequence, like tattoos, not the smaller stuff, like body piercing, ‘cause we'll get over that." Janis, 13
Tips for Dads
- Don't be afraid of your kids. Tell them what you really think.
- It's not okay to be emotionally distant. Experts say that when fathers express real interest and caring, teens feel valued.
- Be a listener. You may not agree with your teens, but hear what they say.
- Check in by email, text message, or phone every day if your career regularly takes you far from home.
- Find something interesting to do with your teens that your wife doesn't do with them. Many schools have father-daughter or father-son groups.