Limiting teenage bad behavior is one of the biggest challenges for parents. Children’s behaviors do not end with the end of infancy, childhood and middle school.
In fact, limiting the bad habits of teenagers to the entire teenage years requires the most difficult training programs that parents face. Bad tempers, arguments, lying and rebelliousness are just some of the unpleasant behaviors of teenagers. There is a good explanation for these inappropriate behaviors.
Adolescents become independent to a large extent at the age of puberty, but they still lack mental maturity. Therefore, it is necessary to provide them with enough information so that they can make rational decisions.
During adolescence, the parts of the brain responsible for decision-making have not yet fully developed. Therefore, a combination of autonomy and immaturity can lead to dangerous behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and risky sex.
As a parent, you expect your teen to do the right thing, but you should know that planning for teens is difficult. When the teenager talks and argues with you, you can no longer deal with it as you did when you were a child. Formulating an effective program for teenagers requires smarter and stronger strategies. The purpose of this planning is to have more control over the children without overdoing it.
Ways to limit bad behavior of teenagers
1) Establish clear rules
If you are using methods to limit your teen’s behavior, you should know that teens and young adults will cross the limits and wait for their parents’ reaction. Therefore, it is very important to establish clear rules and specify the consequences of disobeying them.
For example, the punishment for not observing the curfew could be staying at home for the following week. A good way to reduce children’s resistance to punishment is to ask them to decide how they like to be punished for breaking the rules. Just don’t forget that you have the last word.
2) Write the rules
Make a formal list of house rules, as well as the behaviors expected of your teen, and have them sign it. Install the concluded contract on the refrigerator or a suitable part of the house. This way, your teenager will not forget it.
An example of clear rules is as follows: “Curfing time is 8 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends, and it is not possible to leave the house until homework is done.”
Also note the consequences for disobeying this rule: “Anyone who breaks these rules will be banned from television for one day.” If your child makes a mistake, all you have to do is point to the list.
2) Write the rules
Make a formal list of house rules, as well as the behaviors expected of your teen, and have them sign it. Install the concluded contract on the refrigerator or a suitable part of the house. This way, your teenager will not forget it.
An example of clear rules is as follows: “Curfing time is 8 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends, and it is not possible to leave the house until homework is done.”
Also note the consequences for disobeying this rule: “Anyone who breaks these rules will be banned from television for one day.” If your child makes a mistake, all you have to do is point to the list.
3) Be firm and steadfast
Even if you use methods to limit your teen’s behavior, you should know that teens are masters of negotiation and manipulation. They adapt to the slightest sign of parental weakness and use it to their advantage.
When you stop arguing with them and sympathize with them, this thinking is created in them that they will be forgiven by you every time they do something wrong.
The important thing about being assertive with teenagers is that parents need to be on the same page. If the parents disagree with each other, the teenager will make the most of this opportunity to achieve his wishes.
While being assertive, don’t forget to be fair and understanding. Because compassion and empathy make significant progress in dealing with teenagers.
4) Know which rules are important for you
You must be decisive in limiting the behavior of teenagers, not harsh! It is not a problem to fall short in some harmless and less important issues. For example, having purple hair may not be to your taste, but it probably won’t harm your teen. But on the other hand, the use of alcohol and drugs is completely prohibited and non-negotiable.
5) Be a good role model for your child
If the rule of the house is “to be naked at home”. But if you use profanity all the time, you are giving your teenager permission to behave like you. The best way to encourage a teenager to do positive behaviors is to do them yourself.
6) Teach your teenager to be responsible
An important task of parents during their children’s adolescence is to teach them decision-making skills. Children need to know that every decision they make, good or bad, has consequences.
Talk to your child about the dangerous and long-term consequences of their inappropriate behaviors, such as drug use, pregnancy, smoking, and drunk driving. No matter how much you prepare your teen, he will still make mistakes. The important thing is to teach them to learn from their mistakes.
7) Communicate with your child
One of the best ways to limit teenage bad behavior and prevent inappropriate behavior in teenagers is to know their situation. You don’t need to spy on them or listen to their phone conversations. All you have to do is connect with your teen and be a loving parent.
Ask your teen what he does with his friends. Connecting with your teen also means paying attention to any warning signs that indicate your teen is getting into trouble. These symptoms include:
- absence from school
- Rapid weight gain or loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Legal troubles
- Talking about suicide
It is better to seek help from a doctor or psychiatrist immediately if you see any of these cases. Because the problem can be more rooted than these words.
8) Try to understand your child
You may hardly remember your teenage years, but remember that this hectic period of life is accompanied by a lot of stress.
Teenagers are under a lot of pressure because they have to perform well in school and various activities, meet existing expectations and fit in with their friends.
Therefore, before reprimanding the teenager, try to understand his situation. Is there a problem at school? Does he have a problem with his girlfriend or boyfriend? Has he been bullied?
By providing an environment full of respect and honesty, ask the teenager to talk to you about his problems. Let your teen know that he can talk to you about anything. He needs to know that you always love him and support him no matter what he has done.
You can use the guidance of a psychologist and a psychiatrist for information on how to limit bad behavior in teenagers. Due to the possibility of online booking of doctor’s appointment by the medical school, making an appointment and accessing doctor’s information such as contact information and office address is possible easily and in a fraction of a second.
