Hi – Sue Blaney here with your Parenting Tip from Parenting Teens Info.com. My tip this week is Relax; have faith it will all work out. >>Listen

I’m preparing to head out to Colorado for my son’s graduation from college. Needless to say this is a big event in his life and ours, and we are very excited! And I’m reflecting on the long and winding road we took to get here… and how much I would have benefitted at times from this very advice.

There were times early in his high school career when I was consumed with concern and worry. I remember wondering how I was going to make it through his teenage years.

There was a period when I was actually seeking out stories of successful individuals who had failed big as teenagers, because I needed hope that success would arise from what I perceived at the time as ashes.

Of course, I was over the top in some of my responses and feelings. This is a reflection on me, not my son. And if any of you are feeling like I was at the time, I want to recognize that when you are in the midst of dealing with problems and worries about your teenager, it is difficult to extricate yourself from them.

But you must try.

Relax. Have faith that things will work out, because they usually do. They may not work out as you have anticipated or dreamt about, but they will probably work out for the best. If you are over-the-top with worry, or with trying to direct or change things, you are probably depriving yourself of some of the joy, humor and humanity that should be part of your life.  And you may be undermining your teenager and this precious relationship.

I can’t help but think of the words of  William Blake: “Joy and woe are woven fine….” Life comes at us with the good and the bad, the successes and the challenges, the pain and the joy. It’s all here for us. Rather than battle it all, relax into it.

Allow your teenager to develop as she is meant to develop. Have faith that he will get back on his feet after a failure or challenge. My son has not followed a traditional or straight path, and we’ve all had many valuable experiences along this journey. Although I wasn’t as relaxed as I wish I had been, I did have faith most of the time….and everything is working out in the end. As it will for your teenager.

Thanks for subscribing to my Two-Minute Tips for Parenting Teens ……. but stay tuned for another moment here please. Before I sign off I want to let you know about a great holiday gift idea for parents of teenagers. Communication is the key to your success in parenting teenagers, and my audio program will help you improve your relationship with your teenager by enhancing your communication and understanding. This 3-hour program is titled You’re Empowered! Parenting Teens with Conviction, Communication and Love and it won an award for best audiobook earlier this year. Here's a link directly to more information for this program which comes with a 24 page booklet and is available on CD and as a downloadable MP3 file.

Thanks again until next week…I'm Sue Blaney