My Teenage Daughter Hates Me

You remember it like it was yesterday. The day they were born, their first words, their first steps... The first day of school where you put them on the bus and fought back the tears. How cute they looked when they were playing. How cute it was when they would say that certain word that they couldn't quite pronounce. How did it go from "My daughter said mama today!", to "My daughter hates me"?

Their is something you can do. It involves doing something different than what you've been doing. It breaks my heart to hear parents telling stories of family destruction caused by behavior issues. I was reading a blog post where one woman said that she feels completely dead inside because of the way her daughter treats her. This is no way to live!

The good news is that you're not alone. Millions of parents just like you have been in this position before. Many of them have felt relief by learning to first change how they react to situations involving their child. As long as there aren't any significant biological issues that haven't been treated, such as bi-polar disorder, adhd, or depression, this is your starting point for greater success.

1.BREATHE

Don't forget to breathe. Have you ever noticed that when you are angry, or experiencing anxiety that your breath becomes very shallow and short? We all do this. Spend some time sitting silently and just focus on your breath. Breathe in with the nose, and out with the nose. Breathe naturally and you will notice that the breaths will become deeper without being forced. They will be slower. You will be calm. 5 minutes of this can make a world of difference.

2. RELAX

Exercise. Go for a walk. Expend some good energy. Sweat. Make love. Get a massage. Whatever you have to do to get the energy out. You can't be relaxed in mind, if you are not first relaxed in body. This is key.

3. Trust

Trust that you can make things better between you and your child. What you've been doing hasn't been working, but you can change that. Always believe in yourself. You can do anything.

Exhausted. Drained. Empty. Overwhelmed. These are common feelings for many parents when it comes to dealing with a difficult teen. Why go at it alone and unprepared? There is a great ebook called "The Guide To Honest Parenting" by Daniel Craven. Daniel has a very common sense approach that he calls a "Parenting Style" rather than a method, or program. When you buy his book, you also get online support and a free monthly newsletter with tips and advice. Check this out. What have you got to lose? This is not an instant fix, but it is a great start on a much needed process to recovery.