Observing my oldest son and daughter navigate their steps from the smooth path of childhood to the rocky terrain of adulthood is an ongoing exercise of faith.
Hands, which once softened falls and redirected their toddling steps, are now helpless to protect them from the bruises of harsh employers, academic pressures, new relationships, financial demands and all the rest.
Watching our teens amid all these transitions is hard, and if you are like me the LAST thing you want to do is make their difficult journey harder.
To help our teens along this rocky path to adulthood, we can avoid these common mistakes: 
Don’t tell them they are victims when things go wrong. Rejected in a relationship. Critical boss. Bad grades. My teen has a gazillion new negative pressures. My job is to feel sorry for him, right?
Do see this as a time for personal growth. Every time our teens face criticism is a new chance for his or her personal growth.
We must encourage our teens to find at least one truth behind every criticism, then teach them to repent and pray for the strength to change as needed.
A child who is taught they are victims every time something goes wrong will live a life full of despair and self pity, devoid of personal responsibility and maturity. “A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor”( Proverbs 29:23 NASB).
Don’t give him or her a bailout. A job he wants to quit before giving it enough time. A tire popped from a bolt he carelessly left out. Stuff for her hobby she needs now. My job is to rescue them and pay for it all, right?
Do realize our young men and women will be financially responsible for their own family before we know it. Learning about finances and the real life bank account struggles should be learned before they are married from the comfort of home. “A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on” (Proverbs 16:26).
Don’t make them walk alone. All the new emotions for the opposite sex. Peer pressure. Internet struggles. Nasty boss. No biggie, they are old enough to figure it out on their own…and hey, I’m busy.
Do be the loving, listening ear your teen needs now more than ever. Be purposeful and get alone with your teen to listen, really listen. Learn God’s word so you are equipped to encourage your teen with true wisdom. Pray for godly older men and woman to walk alongside them during these hard years and invest in their life. “He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (Proverbs 16:20-21). 
Are you walking the rocky path alongside your beloved teenager? What are you learning as you go? We LOVE hearing from you!
May the Lord direct our teens’s hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
In Him,
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