The twenties are a crucial stage in a child's life, as they attempt to become independent and make their own decisions without parental support. They also develop a distinct personality that aligns with the open society they live in. This requires giving parents the opportunity to grow and develop without imposing their control or authority over their children's life choices.

In this article, we'll learn how to properly deal with a son in his twenties and how to deal with disagreements and conflicts.

How do I deal with my 20-year-old son in a way that balances support and independence?

The age of twenty is the beginning of a new phase in a person's life, one that should prepare him or her to assume responsibility and gain independence. You must treat your child well at this stage. This can be achieved by adhering to certain behaviors, including:

• respect: You should treat your adult child as mature enough to take responsibility and show them respect by listening to their opinions and encouraging discussion without belittling their point of view.
• Setting limits: It's important to set boundaries for a son aged 20 or older so he knows what is acceptable in his interactions and what is unacceptable and violates family principles and values. It's important to leave him space to choose what he wants in his life, as long as he adheres to these values ​​and principles.
• the support: Offer support and assistance if he needs it or requests it, along with advice, but try to avoid offering ready-made solutions or solving his problems for him, so that you do not teach him to depend on you for every detail of his life and diminish his personality.
• Motivation for independence: Encourage him to make his own life choices, whether it be education, work, or relationships, and try to support his decision, no matter how wrong it seems to you. You must offer advice without imposing your opinion, and let him learn from his mistakes without blaming him.
• Having a dialogue language: There should be a respectful dialogue between you and your son. Give advice without imposing a certain position on him, issuing orders, or belittling his choices. Always leave room for discussion.
• Show confidence: Verbal confirmation that he can do different things and that you believe in his ability to make the right decisions, take personal responsibility, and manage his life will greatly increase his self-confidence.

What are the most prominent psychological and social challenges that a 20-year-old son faces?

Young people in their twenties face many challenges and difficulties in life, both psychologically and socially, which greatly impact their decision-making and personality development. Some of the challenges young people in their twenties face include:

• Character formation: Young people in their twenties are trying to establish an identity for themselves, define their goals in life, what they want to do, and other important matters that they are working on, which makes them feel confused and anxious.
• Professional or educational pressures: Finding a stable job, choosing a field of study to specialize in, or advancing academically or professionally can cause significant stress and fear of competition and failure.
• Physical problems: The need for financial stability away from the family and to bear his financial responsibility without adding a burden to his family causes a feeling of stress.
• Forming social relationships: At this age, the individual works on forming new relationships, whether friendships or romantic relationships, which causes pressure to be able to continue in the relationships.
• Maintain values ​​and enjoy freedom: Balancing the values ​​one was raised with and enjoying the freedom of twenty years old is a difficult problem that creates conflicts, both psychological and with family.
• psychological problems: The twenties are a period of intense pressure that can lead to many psychological problems and conflicts, and can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

What role should I play as a parent in supporting my son in his career and emotional choices?

Parents bear a heavy burden in supporting their children in their career and emotional choices, and in balancing providing support, advice, and guidance without imposing control or domination. To achieve this balance, you must:

• Providing consultations: It is important to offer advice and guidance without making your child feel that you control his choices or the course of his life, whether professionally or emotionally.
• psychological support: You must make your son feel that he is able to make his own decisions, which gives him self-confidence.
• Non-judgmental: Avoid criticizing or belittling his life choices. Try to discuss things calmly if you disagree with him, and try to persuade him respectfully without making him feel like he's still a child or unable to make a decision.
• Dealing with failure: Don't make him feel like a failure or blame him for making the wrong decision. Try to contain him, be present, and be a safe space for your children.

How do I deal with disagreements and conflicts with my adult son in a constructive way?

Disagreements and conflicts between you and your adult child are inevitable. This is a sign of their growth and their attempt to become self-reliant and take on their own responsibilities without becoming a burden on their family. However, the way parents deal with these disagreements varies, without affecting their relationship with their children. Some of the methods that should be followed to deal with disagreements in a constructive manner include:

• Avoid choosing times when your child is feeling angry or sad to avoid escalating the problem. Try to choose appropriate times to speak calmly and rationally about the dispute and try to find a solution.
• Commenting on the behavior and action, not the person themselves, as this reduces their self-confidence and does not focus on modifying the behavior.
• Leave room for discussion and explain his point of view and opinion without belittling him or his point of view, which helps calm things down and avoid any misunderstandings.
• Avoid raising your voice or using hurtful words, and speak calmly and respectfully.
• Try to find common ground between the two parties and avoid dominating the discussion or using threats and pressure to assert your authority.
• Admitting when you're wrong builds trust between you and your child, doesn't diminish your value, and enhances respect between you.

When should I seek help from a psychologist or family counselor to help my child?

If you notice inappropriate behaviors or negative feelings that are affecting the quality of a person's life or the way they live their life, you should seek the help of a psychologist. Some of the situations in which you should seek professional help include:

• Excessive nervousness, problems controlling feelings of anger, isolation from society, or adopting behaviors that affect his health, such as smoking, addiction, or other wrong behaviors.
• Inability to progress in studies or having problems concentrating that affects studies.
• Facing emotional problems such as being in unstable relationships causes him stress and reduces his self-confidence.
• Suffering from a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, frustration and despair in a way that affects the normal course of life.
• The presence of family conflicts and problems that affect the stability of family relationships.
• If your son asks to speak to a specialist, you should listen to him and seek the help of a specialist.