Dealing with teens and small children

If you are dealing with teens and small children simultaneously, you might find yourself facing some really difficult challenges for families. Due to hormonal changes, teenagers may feel that no one can understands their feelings, especially parents. As a result, the teen may feel angry, alone and confused, leaving your younger one petrified by the teen's conduct.

• Parents play a very vital role in such situations. Spanking the teen could petrify the younger one further along with annoying the older one to a greater extent.
• Try to engage the younger one in some activities in the other room so that the tantrums of the teenager do not have an impact on him.
• Try discussing with your teenager, the problems you have to face with the younger one when he/she throws away such tantrums in front of them.
• Communicate with your younger child. Explain him one that the behavior of the older one is just a phase of teenage and is absolutely natural. Convey to them that the older one still loves his family and is still concerned about their well-being.
• Try being a friend to the teenager rather than being monstrous-parent. Talk to them about various problems they are going through. They might not talk to you about their problems all the time, but they will also not forget that their parents are always there for them in times of need.
• There is an age-gap and you must respect it. Your teenager and younger one might not share common interests and parents too should not pretend the same. For instance your younger one might enjoy the teacup ride but the teenager won't really be fond of it. While acknowledging the age gap explain to him that it calls for a few compromises.
• Lastly don't ask your teenager to constantly babysit the younger one. This not only jeopardizes the future relationship between your kids but also hurts your relation with the older child. Try getting other babysitters, allowing only a certain range of younger sibling discipline.

In a nutshell, don't get disheartened if you have teens and young kids at home who do not gel because of their age differences. Moreover, sibling rivalry, catty fighting and older sibling smackdowns is quite natural, but what matters is that they will all be close at the end of the day.