Subscribe to the By Parents For Parents Blog!
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.
"Practice giving them some room to make tough decisions, and then discuss with them the outcome. Try to suspend your judgment, helping your youth 'connect the dots' between their choices and the consequences, good or bad. You will likely be pleasantly surprised at how competent your child has become at making responsible choices..."There is a risk that children who feel out of control can overcompensate by becoming too assertive and controlling. Help them maintain a sense of control by letting them explore their own independence and identity. Read more at PostIndependent.com.
Labels: confidence, consequences, independence
posted by ByParents-forParents at 11:43 AM
0 comments
"Taking the photos could lead to felony manufacturing child pornography charges, sending the photos could lead to distributing child pornography charges, and having the photos on a phone or computer could lead to possession of child pornography charges."Even if charges aren't filed, few teens realize the potential implications of having explicit photos of themselves online; photos that can come back to haunt them later in life. Read more at NaplesNews.com.
Labels: cell_phones, consequences, responsibility
posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:39 PM
0 comments
"A simple rule might be: 'If the car is not home by curfew, then you won't be able to use the car for a day.' If the teen continues to miss curfew, then don't let him drive for increasingly longer periods. And don't soften the blow by offering rides to school. Let him take the bus, so he learns, and learns quickly, from it."Neither emotional humiliation nor physical pain should be used as consequences. If it is, it simply pits parent against child and valuable lessons about personal responsibility are never learned.
Labels: consequences, parenting, rules
posted by ByParents-forParents at 9:02 AM
1 comments
"By the time children enter adolescence, parents' role is to encourage, influence and monitor. At this stage in your adolescent's life, your influence is more effective than your ability to control. The sooner parents recognize this, the sooner they may more positively influence their teen."The line between influence and control is fuzzy. Think of it this way: a controlling parent will 'supervise' a teen as he's finishing his homework, an influencing parent will be available to help but let the teen either finish on his own or deal with the consequences if he doesn't. Though it's hard to let kids experience negative consequences for their actions, it's sometimes an effective learning tool.
Labels: consequences, control, influences
posted by ByParents-forParents at 4:38 PM
0 comments
"And the most effective way they sidetrack you is through certain responses - call them their greatest hits - that they hope will undo your words. They're hoping you'll say 'Oh. I'm sorry. I've changed mind. It was inconsiderate of me to ask you to clean up the TV room. I'll do it myself.'"Phrases like "I hate you" simply re-direct the conversation from curfew to your level of affection for your child. It's a discussion that no one wins and that often disintegrates into a full-blown argument. And at the end, you still haven't settled the original curfew issue. If your teen is truly upset, acknowledge his feelings, but make sure the conversation stays on track. Read more at TheGlobeandMail.com.
Labels: arguments, communication, consequences
posted by ByParents-forParents at 9:56 PM
0 comments
"Know who your kids' friends are, talk to their parents. Have a meeting and establish common curfews and rules about parties, drinking and driving. If they're spending the night at a friend's house, verify that with parents."If parents catch a teen breaking curfew or some other established rule, there need to be consequences. Parents should agree on an appropriate punishment, which should be specific to the child and should make a lasting impression. Read more at TheState.com.
Labels: boundaries, communication, consequences
posted by ByParents-forParents at 11:40 AM
0 comments