Tips for the Teen Years: A Conversation With Psychotherapist Jennie Marie Battistin

As children enter the stage of adolescence, the same parenting approach that worked for their younger years may prove ineffective.

To help give teens an increased sense of independence, give them options to choose from. Shutterstock

Ah, parenting. One minute, you’re thinking you’ve finally got it all figured out, as your happy-go-lucky children giggle and play their way through the beautiful life you’re created for them; the next moment your child is telling you (loudly) how unfair life is, how you’re the worst parent ever, and how all of his or her friends have it so much better than they do.

Who is this person? Was your sweetheart replaced with a look-alike? What is going on?