You have the power to make a difference to your teen’s life, simply by getting to know him and his world.

As a parent we do our darndest for our kids, and we know we have done the best we can. Therefore when things go awry we wonder how our kid’s behaviour can improve and what they might do to change. It might come a shock to a lot of parents that they have to change their behaviour first before their kids can. There are two main points I would suggest parents look at – first to learn to listen better, and the second to spend more quality time with their kids

The following lists some of the typical behaviours of teens
Has disrespectful attitude towards parents, family and others
Challenges requests or rules
Is self absorbed and unable to see things from anyone else’s perspective
Is lazy and careless about responsibilities
Has a negative attitude towards life, school or people
Is emotionally withdrawn and distant from you
Has a tendency to pick friends of whom you disapprove
Erupts into anger that sometimes seems to come out of nowhere
Lacks motivation for school and fails to maintain grades
Neglects home chores and responsibilities
Has mood shifts that seem to have neither rhyme nor reason
Is mean to siblings or friends
Lacks interest in spiritual matters
Detaches from family events and wants to be with friends only
Lies and is deceptive about activities
Is physically aggressive and violentIs truant from school or runs away
Abuses substances – alcohol, drugs, pornography, etc
Engages in sexual activity

In our parenting endeavours, we often fail to understand our children, and our teenage son or daughter constantly remind us of this failure.They are going through various changes both physical and psychological. And as parents, we need to maintain the balance between governance and camaraderie. This will provide a better connection with your ‘teenager’ than what you already have…

ANXIETY

AGGRESSION

ARGUEMENTATIVENESS

CELLPHONE USE

CHORES

CLOTHING

COMMUNICATION

COERCION

CONSEQUENCES

CURFEWS

DEFIANCE

DEMANDINGNESS

DISRESPECT

DRIVING

DRUGS/ALCOHOL

ENTITLEMENT

GANGS

LYING

IGNORING

IMPATIENCE

EXECUTIVE
FUNCTIONING SKILLS

KIDS WHO BULLY
PARENTS

RULES OF THE
HOUSE

REINFORCING DESIRED
BEHAVIOURS

IMPULSIVENESS

INTERNET

MOODINESS

MONEY

PARTIES

PASSIVE AGGRESSION

PEERS

QUALITY TIME

RECKLESSNESS

SELF MUTILATION

SILENCE

VIOLENCE

BEHAVIOUR CONTRACTS