| parent of a teen, you no doubt wish you could go | | | | teen will help them to succeed in adult life, maybe even |
| back to the days when it was easier to discipline and | | | | more so than the no-no and that’s |
| correct your child. The days when you did it because | | | | icky ever will. Sure the basic lessons will stay |
| you knew they knew no better and looked to you for | | | | embedded in their memory for life, but the fresher |
| guidance and direction in this scary world. With your | | | | knowledge will be what they recall first. |
| child now turned teenager, No, No just | | | | Parenting a teen requires a strong backbone, |
| doesn’t cut it anymore. | | | | consistency and a lot of patience. It’s not easy, |
| Sadly, many parents, now days are under the | | | | but there are some basics to keep in mind when |
| assumption that since their teen is old enough to know | | | | considering teen discipline. |
| right from wrong, they don’t have to discipline | | | | Remember the saying, Monkey See, Monkey |
| them. After all, they know what they can and | | | | Do? This especially applies to parents of teens. |
| can’t do, as well as the consequences that | | | | You’re child will be more apt to say things like, |
| arise from doing wrong, and that should be enough to | | | | Why is it ok for you, but not me? When they |
| keep them on the straight and narrow, right? | | | | were younger it was ok to say, because I’m an |
| Oh, how nice that would be; teach your child right from | | | | adult. Now your child is older and can see right through |
| wrong, throw in a few repercussions and every child | | | | that. In addition, you don’t want them to raise |
| would choose the right path in life? Enough of dream | | | | your future grandchildren on that belief do you? |
| world, it’s time to face reality. | | | | Do as I say and not as I do, won’t work |
| As a teenager, your child is experiencing so many | | | | either. Just like you, your teen is now held accountable |
| changes in his or her life right now, why give them | | | | for the choices they make. Set a good example and |
| something else to adapt to. Your consequences for | | | | show your teen, through not only your words, but your |
| wrong choices and your quantity of discipline may | | | | actions as well, what it takes to become an |
| change, but the quality should not. | | | | accountable adult. |
| Your teen needs to know that you have boundaries, | | | | The younger years taught your child right from wrong |
| what they are and the consequences for crossing | | | | in many ways, such as don’t touch the stove; |
| them. More importantly, your teen needs to know that | | | | it’s hot and will burn you. But as a parent of a |
| you will stick with those consequences. | | | | teen, you are dealing with problems that could have a |
| Many parents don’t realize that the discipline | | | | much more negative effect on your child than ointment |
| you give your child as a teenager is what will stick in | | | | and a band-aide can heal. |
| their mind the longest. The discipline you teach your | | | | |