Voices of experience:
Parents on educating teenagers

Dér Stépanos Dingilian, Ph. D. © 2000

1.  Listen to them when they are ready to talk!  If you wait until you are ready to listen, they may not want to talk.  Their attention and thoughts may have dispersed.  Sometimes they want to simply speak to you and not necessarily want to hear your advice or even any advice from anyone else.  You need to give them the opportunity to shape and express what is on their mind.

2.  They want you to be interested in what they are doing and what they are thinking.  You need to give them the respect of asking and have the patience to listen without interrupting or making a value judgment.

3.  Young people will be going to Church and taking part in religious studies mainly because you as a parent want them to.  So you need to set the example!

4.  We don’t expect our youngsters to fully appreciate the meaning of religious education as yet.  However, as they grow up and face tough decisions in life, then they will appreciate it.  The point is, don’t expect them to be thankful to you now.  Be patient for a few years, then you’ll see the results.

5.  I know the costs involved in religious education are very demanding – both in terms of your time as well as of financial resources.  But believe me, when they learn to be calm enough to listen to you as a parent, it is then that raising youngsters becomes a joy!  God always provides a way if you want to provide spiritual education for your youngsters.  You got to have faith in God and the courage to take that step!

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Student - Parent - Teacher Relationship in Education:
A Summary of Findings

Student - Parent - Teacher Relationship:
The Survey Questionnaire

I.  The Student’s Perspective

II.  The Parent’s Perspective

III. The Teacher's Perspective

Teenager Related Cover Page

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