Subscribe to the By Parents For Parents Blog!

News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

The By Parents For Parents Blog is regularly updated with the latest news and information on topics that relate to parenting teenagers. We'll post parenting advice and tips from trusted online news sources and expert parenting columns.

We invite you to add your comments. Please let us know if you would like some specific topics covered, want to share your experience as a parent dealing with teens, or just have general feedback on the By Parents For Parents Blog.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Responding to Manipulation

As kids grow up and begin to develop their sense of personal identity and independence, they're more likely to challenge their parents about things like curfew, the friends they hang out with, and their general activities. They also start learning how to tell parents what they want to hear and get what they want at the same time. In other words - they begin to master the art of manipulation.

"One of the very best defenses against manipulation is to let your 'yes' mean 'yes' and let your 'no' mean 'no'. If you say no at first, and your teen keeps asking you and asking you over and over, and then you give in and say yes, you have taught them that your no does not mean no."

A parent who determines that it's time for "no" to mean "no" again needs to be prepared for some repercussions. Teens will push back, possibly harder than before, in an attempt to revert mom and dad back to their old patters. But stand firm, and in time your teen will adjust to the new "balance of power".

Need help with your troubled teen? Get help at 4TroubledTeens.com.

Labels: independence, manipulation, parenting_tips

posted by ByParents-forParents at 8:54 AM

PREVIOUS POSTS

News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

0 Comments: