Remember when you had a two-year-old who wanted to 'do it myself?' Your teenager's resistance may not come in the form of a toddler tantrum, but the emotions may feel familiar. Whenever possible, give options so they have some freedom to choose.
Your Year-8 student may answer your questions with one word, an eye-roll, or an all-too-clear facial expression. But don't mistranslate the cues. Year-8 kids actually want to have adult conversations sometimes. Be available -- even if it seems a little pointless.
In fact, there may be no phase quite as smart as this one -- just ask them. Being so much smarter than everyone else can really become a burden. Sometimes their patience just runs out, and they simply can't explain it to you one more time. On some occasions, have fun going toe-to-toe with your year-8 kid and challenge them back. Just remember, the important thing is how they personalise what they believe in this phase. So encourage their personal discoveries.
Your year-8 kid is cool. No longer at the mercy of an uncontrollable emotional outburst, year-8 kids are increasingly able to self-regulate their actions, emotions, and activities. But, this emerging sense of control creates a new kind of tension for your teenager to resolve. When you consistently affirm their journey through this sometimes-turbulent season, you help them gain stability.
You help them learn when you... CONNECT THE DOTS.
You capture their heart when you ... PROVIDE STABILITY
You coach their moral abilities when you ... AFFIRM THEIR VALUE
Your year-8 teenager wants to discover how faith applies to them, right now. Connect biblical truth to their everyday world by purchasing a youth Bible, so they have access to articles and devotional copy that can inspire them. And, connect faith to everyday experiences through conversations at home.
