“John, If you do not return to this house by 6pm Sharp! You will know that I am your mother.”
These are the words of a Typical Nigerian Mom, who really loves her children and does not want any harm to come to them, but is that really the best, living and caring way to show that you love and want to protect your Children?
There are sometimes when kids do not feel comfortable when their Parents are around, especially teenagers and they would always want to be kept in a distance little far away from their Parents, all they want is some private time of theirs. But then, Do they really need this Privacy from their Parents? I would say Yes, they do! In as much as parents wants to make sure at all time that their kids are safe and that they are protected, they should also be willing to give these children of their some time of their own to be able to make some decisions themselves and to become a Responsible person while growing up.
The quoted words above are implemented due to the Open-doors policy in the homes of most parents. At some point, yes it is necessary to set the Open-doors policy, so that the kids would have in mind when they are expected to be at home and then make sure that whatever they do, they are to make sure they are at home before that time. Yet, as kids grow up, responsibilities and circumstances also grow up or change as well and when that happens, there need to be adjustments to the Open-doors policy or even a total disable of the Policy in the home.
Kids, Children or Teenagers need private times and when they are not getting this Private time that they crave as Young ones, you see them feeling like they are lacking in some aspects and it may cause them to fall into the trap of Depression which is really dangerous as Young as they are. But, allowing the kids some time of their own without invading in the time feeling like yes, you have to do it because they are your kids and you have to Check on them and things if they nature is a way for you as a parent to show that you love your child and that you are really Guiding them and not spying on them. As a Parent you need to know when to allow you kids to have their own personal time, we too do have our own personal time and we enjoy and cherish those special times too, so why won't we allow the kids to have such time as well? Being too invasive would make them feel insecure whenever you as their parent is around and it is really dangerous when that happens. Instead of acting as a Guide in their lives, you would then become a Spy to them. They really Earn that private time and it is Necessary for them to be given it.
To deal with kids and teenagers are not really a thing for all. Each parent should know and understand their kids and as such, they would know the best way possible for them to handle them when it comes to The Open-doors policy and the invasion of their private Times. They are the ones that know what is right and what is wrong and they also have to power to make the decisions that would be of Great help to their kids.