The teenage years are a place where children need friends. They especially need friendships with their parents. A mother/son friendship will look completely different from other relationships; however, it may be the most crucial. Since mothers are the most prominent parent figure in most households, they have an incredible influence over who their children become.
The myriad ways a mother teaches her son about the world are all important. One of her best tools rests in imitation. Her life is a model to her son on how to relate to the world. A mother who respects herself enough to feel important and worthy of love will pass on the same mentality to her son. She will expect him to treat her with kindness and respect because she does so with him and others.
Teenage boys will treat women and girls how they see prominent men in lives treating women. A mother can make sure she demands respect from the men in life so that her son will treat the women in his life with respect. She will help him set healthy limits in life while realizing his true emotional, intellectual and social worth.