Let's face it, parents play a major role in their teens' behavior and have the ability to be both loving and firm as they establish guidelines for safe and respectful living. Have you ever heard the saying by Zig Ziglar "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want" I think the same thing can be said about the relationship you want with your teen. Here are few things parents can do to help teens break their bad habits and help guide the teens into being the person you want them to be.
1. Set clear boundaries.
Establish clear boundaries that cannot be crossed and then stick to them. If you tell your teen that she will be punished if she breaks her curfew, be sure to live up to it.
2. Plug into your teen's life.
Be aware of who your teenager is hanging out with, monitor her progress in school, and notice any changes in her behavior that could be related to drug or alcohol use.
3. Negotiate.
Sit down with your teen and negotiate a set of rules and regulations that are realistic and that you can both live up to. Enlist the help of a third party if necessary.
4. Discuss, don't scream.
Aggressive behavior is easy to tune out. Speak to your teen like he's an adult and he may act like one.
5. Forget "cool."
Your job as a parent is not to be a cool friend, but to set up boundaries in which your teen can comfortably grow.
6. Focus on positive behavior.
Being a troubled teen is not a lifetime sentence. When your teen makes the effort to break a negative pattern of behavior, be sure to acknowledge the change by giving him more freedom and showing him that it is possible to rebuild trust. This positive reinforcement will encourage him to keep up the good work.
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