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Being a parent is a difficult, often thankless job that seems to get more challenging every year—because your child gets one more year older and because of the changes in our society. The key to growing a healthy, well-rounded teen often lies in your relationship with your child.

By all means, this doesn’t mean you should be “friends” with your teenager. In fact, experts recommend the opposite. Though they often deny it, children need and want boundaries established that will help them feel safe and secure. They have plenty of friends at school and need someone to establish rules and consequences at home.

Though teens can try a parent’s patience at times, some helpful tips can help you get through these years.

• Eat meals as a family, which will help initiate conversations and keep the lines of communication open. You may wish to set a rule that electronics (cell phones, MP3 players, television, etc.) are not permitted at the table.
• Tell your child you love him—and say it often.
• Listen to your child by trying to understand how he feels.
• Allow your child to transition from parental discipline to self-discipline by allowing him to appropriately negotiate rules.

Above all, make your child a priority in your life. True, at this stage your child is very independent, and it may  be difficult to find time to spend together. But find creative ways to show him how much you care.