Three Tips for Setting Healthy Boundaries for Teens

The Power of Saying ‘No’: Setting Boundaries for Teens

As a parent you wish you were able to give your teen everything they wanted. But in life that isn’t the reality. For some parents, it can be difficult to know how to set boundaries for teens. When teens are going through puberty or a difficult stage, they can be defiant or argumentative. Sometimes it may seem easier to give in and give them what they want. Learning how to set boundaries for teens and how to say “no” is the key to sustaining a healthy relationship with yourself and your kid. A recent article by Psychology Today suggests three tips for setting healthy boundaries for teens.
When parents say “yes” to their teens about things that make them truly uncomfortable, it can often cause feelings of stress. It can be difficult to say no to things that you know your teen really wants. But it is important to remember the benefits they’ll gain from the lessons you are trying to teach. At times they may be difficult or angry. These three tips will help when it comes to setting healthy boundaries for teens in any situation.

  1. Practice tuning in to your inner sense of “yes” and “no”. The first part of learning how to set boundaries for teens is to try to understand what your personal limits and guidelines are. We all have that inner voice of wisdom that tells us when we feel like something is right or wrong. This voice can be used in the same way for saying “yes” or “no”. Pay attention to how you feel in the moment.
  2. Learn how to tolerate the reactions of others. Your teen may not like the response they get. Setting boundaries for teens can unleash emotions. Although they may not have a pleasant reaction, you can still firmly maintain the boundaries you have set. Setting boundaries for teens can actually help improve your relationship in the long run. If you do not respect your personal boundaries, it will teach your teen to not respect them either.
  3. Engage in acts of compassionate self-care. If you want to be giving and compassionate towards your teen, it’s important that you apply the same compassion towards yourself. Setting aside weekly time for yourself can help with relaxation, energy, and the ability to connect with yourself. By doing this you set yourself up to be more in tune with what you are comfortable with saying “yes” or “no” to as a parent, and handling any unpleasant reactions in a healthy way.

Setting boundaries for teens can be difficult, but it is an important way of helping your family and teen build stable relationships and a sense of well-being. Having good boundaries for your teen enables less stress and eliminates more conflicts.

blueFire Wilderness can help

blueFire is a wilderness therapy program for struggling teens, ages 11 to 17. Our students often grapple with anxiety, depression, and other emotional or behavioral problems. At blueFire, we strive to help each client succeed.
For more information about blueFire Wilderness, please call 1 (844) 413-1999 today!

Related posts:

  1. Family Therapy Helps Parents Understand and Rebuild
  2. Australian Study Finds Link Between Family Conflict and Risky Dieting Behaviors In Teen Girls
  3. Screen Violence: Harmful for Youth?
  4. Back to School Issue with Tech: Technology Addiction Treatment Centers
Posted in

Kathy Rex

As long as I can remember the outdoors has been a place that fills my soul with happiness, clarity, peace, inspiration, and connections. Connecting with Mother Nature is powerful and never disappoints, even when hardships are a part of that process. Sitting peacefully in any outdoor setting witnessing even the slightest hint of survival (think of that lone flower that grows out of a rock in the middle of a desert) is my life source and reminds me how precious and our lives are, and how resilient we can be. Having shared experiences with others in the outdoors brings me such joy! My introduction to Wilderness Therapy came at a time when I, myself, was at a crossroads in life. Being witness to the reunification of children with their parents after being apart for several weeks was hands down the most miraculous thing I had ever witnessed. Weeks later, after packing my car with all my belongings, and my then 2 year old son, we ventured out to the deserts of southcentral Idaho to embark on a journey that I have never looked back from. The power and value of that parent-child connection has always been at the core of what has driven me in my home and in my work. My children and grandchildren are pretty remarkable too. What I learned early on, and continue to learn, is that change is hard…..and necessary. We have to be able to be honest with ourselves, listen to others, communicate effectively, and continually make decisions which are based on the best information available to us at the time. One cannot hide from themselves for long when they learn to sit still, observe, and then take action. Trust, Reliance, Vulnerability, Humility, Sacrifice, Acceptance, Confidence, Honesty, etc. The list goes on and on as far as what one is capable of experiencing in a wilderness setting. Since 1989 I have had many wonderful opportunities to be able to guide young people on their own journeys while enjoying the outdoors. Seeing the joy and eye-popping realization of one’s own value and capabilities is what drives me to stay involved in the work I do on a daily basis. Families embarking on this journey together is miraculous and inspiring. SouthCentral Idaho provides the perfect landscape for this amazing opportunity. Wilderness Therapy is my calling.