How to Create a Behavioral Contract with Your Teen
A behavioral contract is one in which parents and their teen agree on how the teen is expected to behave. The contract can be written in such a way that it looks out for the interests of the teen while providing parents a certain peace of mind that their child will stay away from trouble. If written and executed appropriately, a behavioral contract is a powerful tool.
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Instructions
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Make a list of expectations for your teen. This section might include things such as coming home by 11 p.m. on weekend nights, cleaning her room once a week and other goals that you and your teen agree on. Keep the expectations reasonable and limited to two or three things. A long list can be overwhelming and make your teen give up before starting.
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List rewards or incentives your teen will receive in return for meeting his goals. This could be as simple as an extended curfew one weekend a month or a mini shopping spree at the mall.
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List the consequences for breaking the contract. Keep the consequences fair. The important thing is that in order for the behavioral contract to be an effective tool, you must enforce consequences. If you ignore consequences, your teen will not take the contract seriously.
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State how long the contract is to be in force. A contract with a time limit is much more effective than one with no clearly defined time. For instance, if the contract is to be in force for a month, then a new contract will need to be drawn in the future, if necessary.
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Include ways to monitor your teen's progress. This could be done in the form of check marks, stickers, or a face-to-face discussion at appointed times. The method of monitoring needs to be shared with your teen so there are no surprises.
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Tips & Warnings
The contract must be written in the presence of your teen and include her input, including any need for revisions.
Ask your teen for suggestions regarding consequences and rewards.
Keep in mind that the purpose of the contract is to help your teen make better choices, not set him up for failure with unrealistic goals.
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Resources
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