Spreading their wings or breaking the rules?
- Troublesome teens can be a handful, but there are ways you can help as parent
It is natural for teens to become more interested in the world outside the sphere that comfortably contained them as children. They prioritise friendships over family, and test boundaries. As they try to spread their wings, they may engage in behaviour such as lying, sneaking around and hiding things. Such behaviour is — to a certain extent — normal during the teenage period of growth and discovery.
It can be a challenging time for everyone, parents included, who may find that new strategies are required to help, guide and discipline their teens. For the typical teenage rebellion, here are some ideas on how to handle your child. (If your teen’s misbehaviour is serious or escalates significantly, however, it may be best to seek professional help.)
Help with decision-making
Teenage brains develop in a way that leaves them emotional and impulsive, and the region responsible for forward thinking and reasoning is last to mature. They will need you to be their moral compass and sounding board.
Help them make decisions and explain why something may not be in their best interest. Be a non-judgmental source of advice and encourage your child to share with you, talking through options. The more open the lines of communication are, the more chance you’ll have of helping your teen see the reality of how their decisions may pan out.