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News & Photos
Dr. Mike Riera Demystified Adolescence for Parents
Practically every seat was taken in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre on Monday evening, April 10, when renowned author and parenting correspondent for the CBS Saturday Early Show Dr. Mike Riera took the stage to help parents better understand their teenagers. The audience was captivated from the moment he was introduced by Assistant Head of Middle School Peter Twadell, who happens to also be Dr. Mike’s brother in law.
Mike believes that teenagers are complex, but not impossible to understand. He began by saying, “My purpose tonight is to help translate what teenagers mean, but can’t say, by their behaviors and attitudes.” His portrayal of interactions between teenagers and their parents often had parents in the audience chuckling and shaking their heads as if to say, “been there, done that.”
The cornerstone of Mike’s philosophy is having parents shift from being managers to consultants. After explaining that teenagers basically “fire” their parents as managers when they reach adolescence, Mike shared many useful tips on how to assume the new role of consultant. Parents came away realizing that in order to establish a good relationship with their teens it is more important to influence them than to control them.
Mike emphasized these points in his talk:
- Kids count on us to be adults, so take a stance on issues
- Write notes to your kids
- Show up
- Get through your own discomforts and have conversations about important matters
- Trust your instincts - if something does not seem right, it probably isn’t
- Over-praising hurts kids and undermines a parent’s credibility
- Naturally occurring guilt is a good thing
- Apology is powerful
- Lying on the bed and blaring music is the teen version of meditation
Mike was available after the program to meet parents and sign copies of his book, Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers.
Many thanks go to the Parent Education Committee of the McDonogh Parents Association for sponsoring this event. In addition to meeting with parents on Monday evening, Mike shared his expertise with teachers and students during the day.
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Practically every seat was taken in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre on Monday evening, April 10, when renowned author and parenting correspondent for the CBS Saturday Early Show Dr. Mike Riera took the stage to help parents better understand their teenagers. The audience was captivated from the moment he was introduced by Assistant Head of Middle School Peter Twadell, who happens to also be Dr. Mike’s brother in law.
Mike believes that teenagers are complex, but not impossible to understand. He began by saying, “My purpose tonight is to help translate what teenagers mean, but can’t say, by their behaviors and attitudes.” His portrayal of interactions between teenagers and their parents often had parents in the audience chuckling and shaking their heads as if to say, “been there, done that.”
The cornerstone of Mike’s philosophy is having parents shift from being managers to consultants. After explaining that teenagers basically “fire” their parents as managers when they reach adolescence, Mike shared many useful tips on how to assume the new role of consultant. Parents came away realizing that in order to establish a good relationship with their teens it is more important to influence them than to control them.
Mike emphasized these points in his talk:
- Kids count on us to be adults, so take a stance on issues
- Write notes to your kids
- Show up
- Get through your own discomforts and have conversations about important matters
- Trust your instincts - if something does not seem right, it probably isn’t
- Over-praising hurts kids and undermines a parent’s credibility
- Naturally occurring guilt is a good thing
- Apology is powerful
- Lying on the bed and blaring music is the teen version of meditation
Mike was available after the program to meet parents and sign copies of his book, Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers.
Many thanks go to the Parent Education Committee of the McDonogh Parents Association for sponsoring this event. In addition to meeting with parents on Monday evening, Mike shared his expertise with teachers and students during the day.