{
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        "rendered": "<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2584\" class=\"elementor elementor-2584\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-50245bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"50245bf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-207e679\" data-id=\"207e679\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe2f399 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe2f399\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Problem-solving is an important life skill for teenagers to learn. You can help your child develop this skill by using problem-solving at home.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everybody needs to solve problems every day. But we\u2019re not born with the skills we need to do this \u2013 we have to develop them.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When solving problems, it\u2019s good to be able to:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">listen<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and think calmly<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consider options and respect other people\u2019s opinions and needs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">find constructive solutions, and sometimes work towards compromises.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are skills for life \u2013 they\u2019re highly valued in both social and work situations.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>Problem-solving: six steps<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often you can solve problems by talking and compromising.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following six steps for problem-solving are useful when you can\u2019t find a solution. You can use them to work on most problems \u2013 both yours and your child\u2019s.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you show your child how these work at home, he\u2019s more likely to use them with his own problems or conflicts with others. You can use the steps when you have to sort out a conflict between people, and when your child has a problem involving a difficult choice or decision.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process step by step.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>1. Identify the problem<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step in problem-solving is working out exactly what the problem is. This helps make sure you and your child understand the problem in the same way. Then put it into words that make it solvable. For example:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018I noticed that the last two Saturdays when you went out, you didn\u2019t call us to let us know where you were.\u2019<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You\u2019ve been using other people\u2019s things a lot without asking first.\u2019<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You\u2019ve been invited to two birthday parties on the same day and you want to go to both.\u2019<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You have two big assignments due next Wednesday.\u2019<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on the issue, not on the emotion or the person. For example, try to avoid saying things like, \u2018Why don\u2019t you remember to call when you\u2019re late? Don\u2019t you care enough to let me know?\u2019 Your child could feel attacked and get defensive, or feel frustrated because she doesn\u2019t know how to fix the problem.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also head off defensiveness in your child by being reassuring. Perhaps say something like, \u2018It\u2019s important that you go out with your friends. We just need to find a way for you to go out and for us to feel you\u2019re safe. I know we\u2019ll be able to sort it out together\u2019.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>2. Think about why it\u2019s a problem<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help your child describe what\u2019s causing the problem and where it\u2019s coming from. It might help to consider the answers to questions like these:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is this so important to you?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do you need this?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do you think might happen?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the worst thing that could happen?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s upsetting you?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to listen without arguing or debating \u2013 this is your chance to really hear what\u2019s going on with your child. Encourage him to use statements like \u2018I need \u2026 I want \u2026 I feel \u2026\u2019, and try using these phrases yourself. Be open about the reasons for your concerns, and try to keep blame out of this step.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>3. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make a list of all the possible ways you could solve the problem. You\u2019re looking for a range of possibilities, both sensible and not so sensible. Try to avoid judging or debating these yet.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child has trouble coming up with solutions, start her off with some suggestions of your own. You could set the tone by making a crazy suggestion first \u2013 funny or extreme solutions can end up sparking more helpful options. Try to come up with at least five possible solutions together.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write down all the possibilities.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>4. Evaluate the solutions to the problem<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look at the solutions in turn, talking about the positives and negatives of each one. Consider the pros before the cons \u2013 this way, no-one will feel that their suggestions are being criticised.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After making a list of the pros and cons, cross off the options where the negatives clearly outweigh the positives. Now rate each solution from 0 (not good) to 10 (very good). This will help you sort out the most promising solutions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The solution you choose should be one that you can put into practice and that will solve the problem.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you haven\u2019t been able to find one that looks promising, go back to step 3 and look for some different solutions. It might help to talk to other people, like other family members, to get a fresh range of ideas.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes you might not be able to find a solution that makes you both happy. But by compromising, you should be able to find a solution you can both live with.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>5. Put the solution into action<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve agreed on a solution, plan exactly how it will work. It can help to do this in writing, and to include the following points:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who will do what?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When will they do it?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s needed to put the solution into action?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could also talk about when you\u2019ll meet again to look at how the solution is working.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your child might need some role-playing or coaching to feel confident with his solution. For example, if he\u2019s going to try to resolve a fight with a friend, he might find it helpful to practise what he\u2019s going to say with you.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>6. Evaluate the outcome of your problem-solving process<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your child has put the plan into action, you need to check how it went and help her to go through the process again if she needs to.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that you\u2019ll need to give the solution time to work, and note that not all solutions will work. Sometimes you\u2019ll need to try more than one solution. Part of effective problem-solving is being able to adapt when things don\u2019t go as well as expected.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask your child the following questions:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What has worked well?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What hasn\u2019t worked so well?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What could you or we do differently to make the solution work more smoothly?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the solution hasn\u2019t worked, go back to step 1 of this problem-solving process and start again. Perhaps the problem wasn\u2019t what you thought it was, or the solutions weren\u2019t quite right.<\/span><\/p><h4><strong>When conflict is the problem<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During adolescence, you might clash with your child more often than you did in the past. You might disagree about a range of issues, especially your child\u2019s need to develop <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">independence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be hard to let go of your authority and let your child have more say in decision-making. But she needs to do this as part of her journey towards being a responsible young adult.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use the same problem-solving steps to handle conflict.When you use these steps for conflict, it can reduce the likelihood of future conflict.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>",
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        "rendered": "<p>Problem-solving is an important life skill for teenagers to learn. You can help your child develop this skill by using problem-solving at home. Everybody needs to solve problems every day. But we\u2019re not born with the skills we need to do this \u2013 we have to develop them. When solving problems, it\u2019s good to be [&hellip;]<\/p>",
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