My daughter is now 24. The only way I could survive the teenage years and have some happy moments is through approaching parenting as an opportunity for personal growth. I would learn how to change through the experience of having a teenage girl that was doing some risky behaviors. I worked at staying connected to her when I wanted to scream, “Why are you doing that? Don’t you know that isn’t good for you?”
She used to tell me she would party (drink great quantities of alcohol) until her early 20’s then stop. She would laugh at how her dad and I were such “light weights” since we split a beer a week. I had to maintain a belief in her. That she would mature.
I treated her with respect even when her behavior wasn’t mature. (Isn’t that what the teen and young adult time is all about?) She stopped her partying a few years ago. We were discussing her change over the Thanksgiving weekend. Her view of life has matured, her choice of clothing has matured; she has become a mature young woman.
I am saying this to encourage any parent who is experiencing the immaturity of youth to have confidence. Have confidence that your kids are maturing. They won’t always stay as they are now. Don’t say things such as, “Why are you like this?” If they could answer with wisdom they would say, “It’s just a maturing phase mom and dad. Don’t worry.”
Cynthia Klein has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with dads, moms and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking, webinars, and private parent coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula. Contact Cynthia at bridges 2 understanding, bridges2understanding.com or call 650. 341.0779.
Copyright © 2026, Cynthia Klein, All rights reserved. Please contact Cynthia to use any of her blog post.
About Cynthia Klein
Cynthia Klein’s mission is to contribute to World Peace and building healthy family relationships is the place to begin. As a parenting expert for over 30 years, parents have learned from Cynthia how to communicate more effectively as an ally rather than an adversary. Her unique Family Harmony System teaches parents of 5 and older how to have open dialogue, solve problems together, support one another, and build mutual respect. Cynthia is the author of Ally Parenting and the video-based self-paced program Win, Win, Win, Parenting. She has presented over 700 talks and coached hundreds of parents privately towards greater family connection and harmony. To learn more about her services of coaching and speaking, contact Cynthia Klein at , visit her website at bridges2understanding.com.
