How to Combat Bad Behavior in Teens

Angry Teen

One day your teenager will come to the realization that there are limits to your punishments and what you can do to punish them. The day they realize this they lose their fear and if they have nothing to fear their bad behavior will become worse behavior.

Why do we follow the rules everyday? At work we follow the rules for fear of losing our jobs. In society we follow the rules so that we don't get arrested or fined. At home we make our own rules to follow based on what we feel are standard common courtesies. For every rule there is a consequence for not following it.

So what do we do a teenager begins to exhibit a sense of defiance for the rules. Here are some ideas for new consequences. I will say that these are just ideas because every teenager fears a different consequence.

Instructions

1. 1. Revoke certain privileges such as cell phones, car usage, allowance, televisions, radios, ipods, and computers. I am sure that your teen has at least one privilege they take for granted.

2. 2. Find the bad element. Pay attention to who your child is hanging out with. Getting control back could be as simple as getting them away from a bad influence.

3. 3. If your child is in trouble in school because of their friends at school you may need to send your child to a new school and bus them out of the area. It may seem cruel, but it will get them to focus on academics.

4. 4. If the child does not have a job, maybe they should. "Idle hands are the devils playground" is a famous quote that has proven itself to be true.

5. 5. Make sure your teen has some personal responsibility.

6. 6. If your child is out of control and getting into trouble with the law then you have the hardest task of all, but if you want your child back, you will need to do it. Change the environment, change the child. Move two cities away so that you don't have to quit your job, only commute longer or hey maybe you want a new job. Move to a new house, cut off contact will all old friends and possibly relatives that are troublesome for the teen to hang out with. Take control of the situation. If your teen does not have all of those other influences to look to, then they will begin to look to you. Believe me, it's seems difficult, but it is entirely worth it.