In adolescence, girls go through several mental and physical changes. This is also the time they deal with new responsibilities, peer pressure and teenage crushes among many other significant challenges. That’s why this is the best time you need to be closer to your daughter.
The good thing is that you were once a teen. Hence, it would be great to share your experiences about your teenage life, the things you loved to do and the mistakes you did so that your daughter can learn from your experiences.
In addition to sharing your personal experiences, certain things can help a teenage girl regardless of the part of the world she comes from. And since your daughter is not an exception, here are incredible things you should share with her. They are wise words that can help any teenage girl overcome most of the challenges teenagers go through. Plus they will help her celebrate this phase of life while it lasts.
Be content with what you have
It is during this stage of life when peer pressure is that its peak. This is when teenagers feel terribly bad if they can’t afford what their age mates have. To help your daughter overcome the situation, tell her it’s okay not to have everything in life and even those who seem to have everything, there are still things they also desire to have.
Since one can’t have all the things in the world, she should learn to get contented with what’s available. If she gets it now, she’ll be happier even in her adult years. She’ll be satisfied with what she has and won’t feel pressured if she can’t afford something. This is super helpful because your daughter won’t do anything to compromise her dignity just to acquire certain laxities of life.
Body changes are normal
Even if your daughter has been taught in school and read it in books, hearing it from you is vital. Tell her the changes she is experiencing in her body are normal. She needs to hear that from you. All women go through that stage and she shouldn’t feel embarrassed about it. If she’s having an acne problem, even as you look for ways to control it, reassure her that she’s still beautiful.
Her body weight could also be increasing at this time, please, don’t keep on commenting on how big she has become. Also, gently inform other family members to keep their views about how your daughter looks to themselves. Girls at this age are so sensitive, if you say something negative about their looks, they may get hurt quite bad and this can affect their self-esteem.
How to take care of herself
This is a good time to teach your daughter that she’s now old enough to take care of herself. Teach her about general hygiene if you haven’t already. Remind her how important it is to take a shower regularly, wear well-fitting clean clothes and generally keep herself presentable. Teach her the importance of eating a balanced diet and keeping hydrated. In matters regarding workouts, enlighten her that it is not about becoming thinner but rather being healthy.
It’s okay to stand on your ground
Let your daughter know that it’s okay to say No to anything that doesn’t make her comfortable without feeling guilty about it. Teenagers particularly girls are more prone to find themselves in weird situations such as being pressurized to get into romantic relationships, go to places they wouldn’t want to go to, take alcohol, drugs, etc.
To help your girl say no to all this without hurting her self esteem, tell her you to trust her to make better choices in life. But if one day she finds herself in a place she wouldn’t want to be, reassure her that you’re her best friend and she can confide in you regardless of the situation at hand and you won’t judge her.
Be confident and believe in yourself
Tell your daughter how important it is to believe in herself and how far she is likely to go if she’s confident with her endeavors. Tell her to listen to other voices but dare to air her views regardless of how different they are without fear.
Let your daughter know that we all can’t have the same personality. There will be times she will feel different from other people and that’s fine. When she feels things are not moving as they should, let her know she can count on you. This will not only boost your daughter’s confidence but will also strengthen the bond between the two of you. And isn’t it what we all yearn for?
Good friendship is awesome
When you are a teenager, you may not be so keen on the circle of friends you keep. As long as they get to notice you, you’re good to go. While that may be all for now, remind her that she may get lonelier up there if she doesn’t begin to choose her friends wisely. Encourage your girl to value friendship so that she doesn’t make the mistake of making wrong friends and losing the good ones.
Teach her the importance of friends in a woman’s life and how to nurture friendships to develop strong bonds with them. What she may not know now is that genuine friendships can last for life. So, how will she distinguish genuine friends from fake ones? It may be tough for her age but these points can help her make a good choice.
True friends
- Applauds your achievements
- Shows up when you need them
- Aren’t threatened by your success
- Are supportive
- Make you happy even during tough situations
Travel the world!
Traveling is amazing. When you are still young, energetic and free from several commitments, take that opportunity to travel the world. You don’t have to be so strict with the destinations but at least ensure you step out and see the beauty of the world. More so, you don’t have to make it an expensive affair. Travel to places you can comfortably afford. Interestingly, there is so much to see even in your locality. You just need to step out and you’ll be surprised with all the things the world has to offer in terms of outdoor adventure. This is the time to discover if you want to do it the solo way or with a group of friends and family. Whichever path you choose, make sure you are enjoying yourself to the fullest.
Help your teenage daughter embrace herself
Now that you are facing the teenage years with your daughter, take things lightly. Always remind your daughter that whatever she decides to do, she should ensure it does make her fall in love with the woman she’s becoming. This phase won’t last forever, it may feel like so now but a few years from now, she’ll be dealing with a new phase altogether. So, be sure to help your girl enjoy her teenage years, create long-lasting memories but responsibly.
