MORE ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR TEENAGE CHILD, PART II

Teenagers tend to prove themselves with everyone: their teachers, their peers and automatically with you too. Do not let that upset you and do not fight with them; you will save yourself and them the trouble of arguing over irrelevant and petty stuff.

Everyone in the house should take part in running the house; the whole responsibility should not be on one person alone; assign each one in the house a chore or two.

Let them assume the responsibility without fighting or arguing; if they do not do their chores and their room is a mess, do not let them go out with their friends till they take care of everything. By doing this, you stick to the boundaries you established without anyone having to be angry.

When you give your teenager choices, you make them feel they are in control: “Will you do your chores first or your homework?” “When will you be back 9:00 or 10:00?” This gives them confidence in being capable of deciding for themselves. You need to treat your child with respect at all times; constant screaming at them makes them insecure as adults and damages their emotions.

Ask for their opinions and respect them, and when it is just you and your child in the car, let them choose their favorite radio station. If they like sports go to their games, and if they win any awards, make it a huge event and make a celebration in their honor.

These easy things will cement a healthy relationship between you and your teenager. Let your child hang out with their friends at your home, make some healthy snacks available and let them play their favorite music. At the same time, you have the right to enforce your rules but with open communication, which is the best approach.