21010 Setiu,
Terengganu.
14th February 2012.
Dear Editor,
How are you? I hope you are in the best of health. Nowadays, the generation gap between the teenagers and their parents is widening. So, I am writing to share some suggestions on several ways to reduce the generation gap between them.
There are many ways to reduce the generation gap between teenagers and their parents. This can strengthen the relationship and chemistry between the teenagers and their parents. Firstly, parents should always talk to the teenagers. They should talk about their problems so that the problem can be resolved. This activities can also strengthen the camaraderie between them if it is done frequently.
Moreover, parents have to listen to teenagers. Teenagers have to express their feelings to others. If not, it could lead them to perform various crimes such as bully,raping, adultry, vandalisme and drug problem.That is why parents have to listen to teenagers so that these crimes can be prevented from happening.
Another suggestion on how the generation gap between teenagers and their parents can be reduced is to have parents monitoring their children's activities. Parents will know better about their children's activities. They have to know about these activities because it is their responsibility. In this way, the parents can secure their children's future. When the parents know about the children's activities, it can prevent the children from doing harmful activities. Parents must also monitor the regular places the children go so that their children will feel closer to their family. Also, parents should always ask about children's problem to know more about them so that they can give some useful advice to their children. Parents should monitor them a few time a week by spending time together at some places that the children like such as the beach, mountain island and waterfall.in order to get them to be more relaxed. The parents can divide the task. Father can monitor the son meanwhile the mother monitor the daugthers. This is because the fathers are closer to the son and know more about men's problems and vice versa. The fathers can also give some tips and advice to their sons on how to solve the problems. In this way , It can also improve their fellowmenship.
In addition to that, another way to reduce the generation gap between teenagers and their parents is to have the parents lay down some house rules. The parents should organise a few meetings with the family members to talk about the house rules so that the children will always remember the rules. The house rules are produced to discipline the children. The purpose of the rules made is to restrict the time for the children when they want to go out especially at night for their safety. The house rules must be remembered by the children. Thus, the parents should always talk with the children about the rules.
Moreover, parents need to be more flexible with their children to reduce the generation gap between them. Parents should be more flexible with their children so that their children are not in a stressful condition. Parents should bring their children to their children's favourite places such as beach, waterfall and waterpark to release their children's stress. Parents should also be more flexible with the house rules that had been laid down so that their children will not feel too controlled. Even though the rules need to be followed, they need to be flexible with the teenagers' current situation.
Another way to reduce the generation gap is parents must know friend's parents. The parents should know the names of their children's friend's parents and where they live because it will help the parents to monitor their children. Parents can meet their children's friends' parents from the meeting that is held at the school such as the Parent-Teacher Association.
In addition, family outings is also one of the ways to reduce the generation gap. They can do some outdoor activities with their family such as going for holiday and picnic. They may also hang out and spend time with the children at some touristic places such as historical sites and theme parks. Parents and children can perform these activities during the parents' free time when they are free from work or during the holidays. As a result, family outings can totally strengthen the relationship in the family and enable the children to get to know their parents better.
Futhermore, eating together is a necessary way to reduce the generation gap. This can be done whether outside or inside the house for meal as a family. The parents will be able to get to know their children well trough the conversation during the feast. It can help the parents to show their love towards their children and reduce their longing for their children. The parents and children should at least done this twice a week or during the weekend. They could gather and enjoy the meal together as a family at best way to reduce the generation gap between the parents and their children.
Equally important, another way to reduce the generation gap between teenagers and their parents from widening is to celebrate teenagers achievement. Parents should celebrate their children's achievement as they are the people who are close to them. By celebrating their achievement, it can affect their motivation and increase their study performance. This automatically encourages them to score flying colours result in the public examinations such as UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM. Parents can also reward their children with words of encouragement and material rewards such as handphone, computer and watch to motivate them. Hence, the children will feel appreciated and become closer with their family.
Lastly, to reduce the generation gap between parents and teenagers, parents must tell teenagers that they love them. As the persons who are very close to the teenagers, they must tell their children that there are people who love and care about them. There are many ways to express their love. Love can be shown not only by words, but also through body language. Love can also be expressed by treating them nicely, giving the best for them and buying things that they dreamt for. Hugs and kisses from parents is the best way to show their love to their children. If teenagers know they are being cared for, they will behave themselves even without their parents monitoring. Hence, they will be more responsible towards their lives. However, there are some parents who take it easy and usually forget to let their children know that they love them. This is because some parents are not aware of the importance of letting them know how much they love them. In conclusion, teenagers will feel more appreciated and the generation gap between teenagers and parents that is widening can be reduced.
I think that's all from me. I hope all the suggestions will be useful. Bye.
Yours Sincerely,
4E5 Warriors & Princess
Wow Pahlawans and Puteris, you've mentioned all kinds of wise suggestions to help parents be closely connected with their teenagers. I like your statement that "Even though the rules need to be followed, they need to be flexible with the teenagers' current situation." I think it's funny where you say, "Hugs and kisses from parents is the best way to show their love to their children." This may be true for young children, but, at least in my culture, not many teens like to be shown that they're loved by receiving hugs and kisses from their parents, ESPECIALLY if their friends are watching - haha!
Now that you have written advice geared mostly toward parents of teens, maybe you could offer a few specific suggestions for how teens can make it easier for their parents to connect with them. This might require some humility and introspection, but you've already mentioned a good one: "Teenagers have to express their feelings to others."