eWomenNetwork member, Sharon Ballantine, The Premier Parenting Coach, learned the hard way that parenting-by-demand wasn’t going to cut it. Faced with teenagers who grunted instead of speaking to her, she knew something had to change. Finally, an “aha” moment brought her to her senses that changed everything. Watch and learn how you can change your relationship with your child that can last a lifetime. After you watch the video or listen to the podcast, read Sharon Ballantine's article below on How to Use Business Skills to Succeed as a Parent.
 

Watch the video below or listen to the interview on the eWN Podcast Network. 

Raising the Happy Quotient at Home

Does it sometimes feel overwhelming and stressful to be managing your own business and also raising a teen or two? It can easily feel like you have two full time jobs! As a business owner and a parent, I have often felt like I needed to cultivate the “people” skills that I use in the world of business, on my own family. Skills such as attentive listening, non-judgment, the tone of voice I use, etc. At times, it was a struggle to use these skills at home if I was being reactive with my teens. 

As I was navigating the teen years, I wanted to be more responsive and less reactive to my teens and also have them be less reactive with me. Being reactive was standing in the way of good communication and undermining the quality of our relationship. I came to realize that if I truly wanted these things, I was going to have to slow down and take control of my own wellbeing, which meant making my happiness a priority. I knew that if I wasn’t happy, I couldn’t approach any situation with my teens in a clear way and be the supportive parent that I wanted to be. 

This also meant that allowing my teen’s moods and behavior to dictate my own mood and behavior would never serve me. I came to realize how crucial it was to also pay attention to what was truly going on within my teenagers, which seemed to often dictate their behavior. This took practice- on both counts and a constant reminder to myself- to not take things personally.

Getting along with your teen and raising the happiness quotient in your home, starts first with better understanding what is happening with them- in their minds and in their bodies. We know how stressed we can feel, but do we realize how stressed our teens are too? Are we giving them the benefit of the doubt as their find their way?

Raging Hormones and the Teenage Brain

Do you find that you’re able to be productive and are better equipped to make your best choices and decisions when you’re feeling stressed and off center? Have you ever regretted a choice because you didn’t take the time to feel good first and have clarity? Or, do things go better when you’re feeling optimistic, happy and connected to your wellbeing? What does feeling good mean for you? 

What if you encouraged your teen’s personal happiness so they felt better equipped to make their best choices? Maybe this means allowing them the freedom to choose their own timelines regarding their responsibilities. Perhaps it’s encouraging your teen to engage in a leisure activity that pleases them before they embark on their homework and chores. As your teen feels more calm and centered and connected to their wellbeing, they will have the clarity to be able to access what serves them best. Everything your teen does will become more productive if they are feeling good first.