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10 Guiding Principles
Strategies to Change Your Teen's Thinking and Preempt Crises
By Mimi Doe
In a 2004 survey by Spiritualparenting.com, teens were asked: "What do you wish your parents did differently?" The overwhelming response was unexpected. They didn't want more freedom, a later curfew or another gadget. Instead, teens wished their parents actually listened to them more often. A typical response was: "I would love it if my mom was around more often to hear what was going on in my life. We rarely catch up." Teens simply want to be heard and respected.
Principle 5: Supported Dreams Manifest Miracles
By helping teens nurture their internal vision of who they are, we may be able to spare them years spent pursuing goals far astray from their personal dreams. We can help them find an authentic sense of purpose in the world: something that comes from connecting the deep currents in their hearts with the abilities of their hands and minds. When parents help kids identify what brings meaning to their daily activities, it's the answer to the fundamental spiritual question "Why am I here?" Principle 6: Awaken Wonder and Spirit Flows
Teens crave magic: that moment when time stands still and we're drawn outside our usual busy selves to find something rich and peaceful. Experiences and perceptions that go beyond the ordinary soothe a soulful yearning. But in the teen years, wide-eyed wonder isn't "cool." Teens have to learn how to silence their ever present internal critic in order to experience being fully present in an experience. It's hard to be in awe if you're worried about how your hair looks. 
Principle 7: Remain Flexibly Firm