Boundaries, expectations and relationships with teenagers were at the heart of the second session of the “Parenting That GROWS” conference, held on October 10 at MTS Hall in Belgrade and organized by the Novak Djokovic Foundation, with the support of the general partner Generali and The Human Safety Net Serbia.
Adolescence brings many changes, questions and challenges, both for young people and their parents. How can parents set boundaries, understand teenagers’ needs and maintain closeness as their children gradually develop independence? These questions were explored by Vladimir Borovnica, specialist in medical psychology and family psychotherapist; Vesna Brzev-Ćurčić, specialist in medical psychology and training psychoanalyst; and Dr. Roberto Grujičić, specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry.
Through expert presentations, a panel discussion and audience interaction, participants had the opportunity to explore the challenges of adolescence from different perspectives and reflect on the importance of relationships, trust and mutual understanding between parents and children.
One of the key messages of the session was that a good-enough parent to a teenager is not a police officer standing at the door, but someone the teenager can always come back to. As young people grow up and find their own way, they need both the freedom to become independent and the reassurance that their parents will be there to support them, even when things don’t go as planned.
The conference once again highlighted the value of open conversations about parenting and the importance of creating spaces where parents and experts can learn and exchange experiences.
The next “Parenting That GROWS” session will take place on November 7, focusing on “Authenticity, Emotions, Relationships and Screens: The Challenges of Growing Up Between the Ages of 6 and 18.”
The discussion will explore how children and young people develop their identities, understand their emotions, build relationships and grow up in a world where screens play an increasingly prominent role. The session will feature three experts: Prof. Dr. Ksenija Krstić, psychologist and professor; Ina Poljak, writer and psychologist; and Prof. Dr. Jelena Vranješević, psychologist and professor.
The conference series will continue on November 14, with a session dedicated to meaning, values and the questions that shape children and parents throughout different stages of development.
Tickets for the upcoming sessions are available through tickets.rs. For more information about the program and speakers, visit the Parenting That GROWS conference page.
The “Parenting That Grows” conference is organized with the support of its main partners Generali i The Human Safety Net Srbija, as well as other partners: Curaprox, Aksa, Chicco, Philips Avent, Maxi i Essensa. The conference’s friends are Alma Quattro, Nutrino Lab i Knjaz Miloš.
