Use positive phrases when they do something good, instead of always punishing them. Never physically hurt them.
If you're trying to quit a habit yourself, look into groups that can help you overcome it. Always get support, and have someone you can talk to when you begin to get a craving for your habit. Remember that you're not only helping yourself, but you're helping your child as well.
To be a good parent let your child show their personality and you might find out what they like why they like it. It will give them confidence knowing that you approve of who they are really are.
Encourage introspection by sharing with your children your own self-evaluations.
Always be encouraging to your children. If they do something good, praise them! If not, don't criticize them (as a person) but the thing they did. Discipline them by helping them understand why the thing they did was bad or wrong. If you point out their flaws, always suggest a way to improve.
Listen to what your child has to say.
Don't live your life through them. Let them make their own choices and live their life how they want to.
Address your needs to be loved, but value your children's needs over others. Do not abandon your children for your love interests. Make your child a priority when you are dating, and do not put your child in danger by introducing someone new into the household that you do not know well. Children need to feel safe, secure and loved. If you are suddenly leaving them out and not addressing their needs in order to tend to a new boyfriend or girlfriend, your children will grow to feel insecure and abandoned. Love is needed by everyone, but not at the expense of your child's emotional health. This also applies to older children.
Try to maintain your own friendships.
Remember a child is a living organism. If the child starts getting angry it maybe to suitable to give the child time by itself.
Don't judge their friends. This could make the child feel like you don't like their friend. Always be open to your child's friends.
A teen who is on the brink of adulthood needs the support of a parent more than ever. Do not think that just because they are almost 18 or 21 years old that you can leave them to figure it all out on their own. Do not intervene/interfere unnecessarily, however. You have to walk a fine line.
