Leave your teen ager free

I find with children of all ages, since they are people too, respect is key. In the classroom I had very little trouble because I quickly created a rapport with the students. For one thing, I did not lie to them. I also had this rapport with my own children. Communication is really the key to dealing with teens. I kept the communication alive. I allowed for all kinds of talking about all kinds of things.. everything pretty much! I had resonable standards and they only changed to adaptto the level of maturity and responsibility my kids exhibited. I did let them suffer consequences for bad decisions... that's the only way to learn!!

Learning to respect the sentiments of children is an art in itself. If you can do that, you have won half the battle.

Ah teenagers! Gotta love them. The closer they get to when they will leave home, the more they will disagree with everything you say. I call this fly the coop syndrome. All teenagers get this. Always keep it in mind. Teenagers hate to be told what to do. They are starting to grow up. They don't want to be children. They have been told what to do all their lives. They are ready to solve problems, make mistakes but learn. Let them choose their actions and consequences but be around with a guiding hand to point the way. Don't tell! QUESTION THEM. They can figure out the answer.If they ask, tell the truth. One of the most powerful things you can do is to BE THEIR BEST FRIEND! You might just find that they are capable of solving most of their own problems. Those that they can't, they always ask their best friend!!!