Advice from the other side

I'm a parent of two teenage girls and want to share what I have learned. One is off to college and the other is a junior in high school. Parenting teenagers is like having toddlers. They need to get enough sleep, have friends, eat well, and have self confidence.They need to have a good relationship with their father, super important for teenage girls. They will seek out a partner similar to him. If your husband treats you poorly point out to him that his daughters are watching and will marry someone who will do the same or worse.The lovely little girls and boys that idolized you will no longer ,explain often, that you are not their friend but will be when they are older.Parents of kids having a hard time at school- The number one thing that I have learned is: Don't make them rehash their day. It most likely was hard and constant questioning just makes them re live it. Give them time to decompress (without electronics). They will come to you if you are open to listening not fixing.- Make sure they have the right clothes and the right sneakers.- If they are having a problem with a teacher - address it immediately. Start with complimenting, compromising, then move to whip ass.- Tell them there are two types of teachers, those that want to teach and those that want to control. Know the difference and learn to manage the teacher and the relationship. It's good advice if they can manage it.- Don't force afterschool school activities - find activities apart from the same kids they are with all day. Theater groups are great.- In their interactions tell them to try not to be easily offended - 9.99% of the time it has nothing to do with them.- Try not to harp on things that really don't matter. Save your anger, annoyance for what is important.Keep a kit in the car or locker- Extra t-shirt for sweating- Deodorant ( Certain Dri)- Razor, toothbrush, underwear, tamponsHygiene- Greasy hair - use dandruff shampoo- Acne - Differin and witch hazel - consistently. Change diet - watch for gluten and berries- Back acne - Loofa and Differin- Change sweaty clothes immediately- Change pillow case every couple of daysAnxiety and panic attacks- Do what ever you have to do to have a good relationship with the school. Be very careful what you tell the school - they are not your friend. Document everything. Make friends with the office workers.- If they need to leave school during the day. Don't bring them home. Pick them up drive them around, calm them down and then bring them back.- Make therapy a number one priority. It may take a few different therapists before you find one that fits.- If you can - get them a pet to sleep with.- Don't be late for anything. Allow plenty of time for getting to school, lessons, everything. They are stressed enough.​FinallyThe most difficult and one of the most important and hardest to do is monitor social media. It takes a lot of time but it is a must. If you can't do this consistently at least take their phone and computer away at bed time.Junior and Highschool can really suck. We want healthy and relatively happy kids. Tell them do do their best and leave it at that.Hug, touch, and PRAISE them everyday. You wouldn't believe how many days can go by without doing this.​Good luck!​​​​- via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/33BCSgz