Guest Author - Susan Kramer

This is lesson 11 in the series "Conquering Codependency - Loving Without Leaning" looking at aspects of codependency from a spiritual point of view. Each of the 48 lessons includes a prayer or meditation.

The teen years are fraught with many issues, going from the dependency of childhood to the self-sufficiency of adulthood.

In the early teens the young person still rightfully needs material support and parental guidance.

By age 18, the legal age for being responsible as an adult in most places, a person is supposed to be grown up. That only leaves about 6 years for walking the swinging bridge from dependence to independence.

I do not think the same adult codependent issues apply to a young teens. They truly rely on others for material support and guidance.

In my opinion codependence starts at the age when a person has the choice of being dependent or independent, which is around 18.

Peer pressure

Teen issues often stem from peer pressure. The teen wants to be looked up to and accepted by their friends, and the young teen not yet mature enough to make independent adult decisions consistently, may give in to peer pressure by experimenting with drugs, alcohol, early intimacy; even vandalism or other crimes if the environment is there.

Adults can have a positive and nurturing influence on a teen by praising efforts toward independence, such as when the teen is being responsible for school work, chores, a part time job to save for wanted purchases, and community service.

Stress Relief

Teens, take time for stress relief. Some ways are aerobic activities like walking, jogging, swimming, biking, and spending time in prayer and meditation at the end of the day.

For more ideas for teen stress relief click here.

Nurturing

Just saying “I think you are doing a great job in … area,” encourages a teen or anyone to continue along those same lines, and at the same time bolsters their self-esteem and efforts toward greater independence in decision making and becoming self-supporting.

There is an expression that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, meaning that parental example has a big effect on a teens actions - maybe not during some inevitable experimenting, but in the final large step to adulthood.

By being there with a listening ear and living a right and just life the parent remains a light house through teen’s turbulent and stormy years.

Teen Guidance Prayer

“Dear Lord,
May I grow well and steadily
And learn to live in harmony
With community, friends, and family.”

Codependency Homepage and Sitemap
Co-Dependents Anonymous Meeting Locations
Interfaith Prayers and Meditations
Children and Teens - Prayers, Affirmations, Meditations

The entire series of 48 Conquering Codependency - Loving Without Leaning lessons
can be purchased as a handy ebook for $2.99 by clicking here.


Anneke and Hans Learn Meditation
This 20 page ebook includes five adventure stories from Holland for learning a variety of meditations with 9 year old Dutch twins, Anneke and Hans, and their friend Ben - plus animals Sammy Seagull and Jasper Jay. Dutch customs and photos of Holland are woven throughout. Reading level 8 years and older.


Article - Susan Kramer