I'M JUST A TEENAGER!

My mum is not there

Even though I'm here.

She believes I've come of age,

But I'm yet to be a sage.

!->

With me are tons of thought In class we've not been taught

Growing within my mind;

Solutions...I've to find.

!->

If she could take her time To come around and rhyme With me to rub my mind,

To her I would rewind.

!->

Dad is a busy type

Can't do without his pipe.

I wish he showed some face,

There won't be...need to race.

!->

We're in this together;

You seem to be stronger, Failing to hear me out; Waiting for me to shout?

!->

I'm just a teenager;

Around me lurks danger.

It's true I love to be...

But do not neglect me!

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OUR TEENAGERS NEED OUR COMPANIONSHIP!

The negligence currently in vogue at some home in relations to giving the teenagers needed audience is very appalling. The effects of such are already staring us in the face. Those giving deaf ears to it are doing very little, and those who seem to have a grab of the situation are even hyper-reacting. These situation is like a planted-mine waiting to be exploded, and thus requires extra-carefulness on the part of those to attend to it.

...

No one denies teenagers of their young adults' status. But this fact (though debatable) should not lead us to abandoning them totally either physically or emotionally. The four walls of their rooms welcome us. We should not neglect knocking on their doors to announce our presence, send them a welcoming greeting or extend a parting note. Ditto to their schools.

...

Our display of respect to their privacy at every of our visits (though occasional), will make them to always be on the lookout for more. Asking after their well-being, showing concern to their yearnings and celebrating together their little wins will go a long way in winning them over to us.

We should not disregard the importance of spending valuable outdoor times together with them. Having them accompanying us to picnics, sporting workouts, visitations (at hospitals, museums, zoos etc) and even cemeteries are avenues through which genuine conversations can be ignited between us. With such, they would not feel uneasy to confide in us. They have a number of thoughts currently bothering them. In fact these, are becoming burdensome to them.

...

The teenagers' hearts are heavy with loads of mystical ideas requiring a heart to heart talk. Such intimacy is best achieved by parents that they have trust and confidence in. Are you that parents? Do you think your angel(s) is/are religiously sound and would not need you around? Have you forgotten the urge you felt when you were in their shoes?

...

We cannot relegate the fact that we were lucky during our teenage years. Yes, it made be claimed that we were more focuses. However, our today's youngsters are not that lucky. They are in a generation with myriads of distractions that the current world of interconnectivity brings with itself. We are not hopeless that they will also scale through but not without you playing your part. They have questions that only you should attempt answering.

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Again, this is 21st century - the century witnessing Social Media explosion and unprecedented technological advancement in every spheres of life.

As we encourage ourselves t o be more deliberate than ever before as regards our parental responsibilities, we also remind us not to leave no stones unturned about improving our rapport and companionship with our kids. The need to be more proactive about this cannot be over-emphasised.

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Ultimately, the joy of parenthood is not only in seeing the kids passing through 'teenagehood' to adulthood, but also in witnessing them doing great both in their private life and in the public space. This is our wish, and we must work to achieve it.