If physical touch is your teenager boy’s love language like it is with my boys and you can hardly give them a hug with out them squirming away, don’t fret, there are ways around that. A simple pat on the back or a high five when you walk past them as you cheer them on, is quick moments of touch. Sneaking in a quick back scratch or back rub can subliminally let them know they are loved. Cuddles as a baby and toddler are super easy. Cuddles with a teenager are near impossible and quite possibly awkward. The simple pat on the back and scratching the head is physical touch and it feels the need of that love language, physical touch.

 If you are at a place that you can find ZERO things to cheer your child on with or they don’t even want to be on the same space as you, then ask the Lord for guidance. He can help you find creative ways to compliment them, to be on their space, to tell them they did a good job and that you are proud of them. When we, as adults, are appreciated, it makes us want to give that much more to the situation. Kids are the same way and if all they feel is rejection because maybe they are actually a brat and they seriously need a good butt spanking, then that rejection they feel causes them to be on a wheel of lash out- rejection- lash out- grounding-rejection-lash out.

Pray for you kids. Speak life over them. If they laugh at a joke their friends said or something on tv then let them know you like their laugh. End of story. Don’t drag it out and go all preachy about how they never laugh anymore. If you hate the clothes they wear but like the color then compliment them on that.

God is the king of creative ideas and loves your child with his entire being and can give you a plethora of ideas in how to love on them, even in the mist of all their teenager attitudes-just ask Him. I can guarantee you will get new ideas and you will see changes when you implement them with a willing heart to let God lead you. .