Raising a teenager today is tough, but I've found one thing that makes these years easier: applying humor whenever possible. Parenting is such a serious business that for the sanity of all involved a sense of humor is a requirement. Otherwise, you'll quickly learn that dwelling on the problems teens can create in your lives will only lead you to a sour disposition and a harsh encounter when you finally confront them. Learn to soften most situations with humor.

I know, at times it's difficult to use humor because of a dangerous or explosive crisis you find yourself facing. Although you can't laugh when drugs or teen pregnancy are issues you are dealing with, most situations will be less likely to escalate when you apply liberal doses of humor.

So, to ease tension at home, use humor. Developing a good sense of humor involves looking at things with different eyes; often things are rarely as serious as they appear. Taking a light-hearted look at human nature can help lighten the sting of consequences for wrong behavior. But humor should not replace the important messages you must deliver to your teen at times. It merely supplements the tough stuff Use humor that everyone can under-stand, use it liberally, and help your teens see the fun side of you, so they will begin to relate to you as a person and not just a rule maker.

Remember that most teens will some day be parents themselves and have to deal with these same problems. Now that is funny!

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel