| Having worked with defiant and aggressive teens for | | | | By loosing your cool, you teach your teen that it is fine |
| the last 5 years, I've learned some very important | | | | for them to lose their cool. I know that it is hard to |
| pieces of advice for managing that aggressive | | | | believe, but your teen looks to you to set an example. |
| behavior. I'm often asked, "What are the best ways to | | | | You have to be that for them. If you can, take the time |
| parent an aggressive or defiant teen?" | | | | right now to identify some areas where you are not |
| Well for starters, the most important factor that I must | | | | setting a good example for your teen. I can already |
| stress is that you must always control yourself. I | | | | identify many where I'm not setting a good example |
| cannot stress that enough. If you are running around, | | | | with son. |
| not in control of yourself, why should you expect your | | | | Managing aggressive and defiant teens is never a one |
| teen to stay in control of themselves. | | | | stop fix. You won't find the "fix all" answer anywhere. |
| Many conversations will get out of control with an | | | | Parenting teens is a journey and although at times it |
| aggressive teen if you are not in control of your own | | | | can be very frustrating and difficult, I'm absolutely |
| actions. Don't react to your teen's behavior. Be | | | | honored to have you leading the family the way you |
| proactive. Proactive in the sense that you are | | | | are. You are here right now wanting more information |
| expecting it, you have given forethought to how you | | | | on how to parent better. That is amazing in and of |
| might react this time around. | | | | itself, and I thank you from my heart. |