How to Discipline Your Teenager

You've survived the toddler years and the childhood years. The "Terrible Two's" were nothing compared to the teen years. These years can be even worse when it comes to discipline and punishment. If you haven't found out already, you teen knows everything there is to know and you're merely a dumb ol' parent that knows nothing. They are, however, busier and more worldly than we were at that age due to today's technology and busy lifestyles. That's why it can be so difficult to enforce any discipline upon them. But there are some things you can do to instill a sense of good behavior and well-mannered characteristics in them. Consider the following suggestions and decide which ones would work best with your particular teen.

1. Stay involved with your teen's life - They might tell you that they just want to be left alone, but they don't really mean it. Most of the time, they are simply venting their frustrations at life towards you. Most teens appreciate parents who want to be involved and know what's going on in their life. It shows that they care during a tumultuous time in their life.
   
   
2. Don't use scare tactics with your teen - Not only do scare tactics never work with today's teenager, but they also cause your teen to lose respect for you (if they had any to begin with) and you lose credibility as well. If you lose credibility now, it's nearly impossible to regain it when a bigger, more important issue comes up in the future.
   
   
3. Restrict their luxuries - Today's teen has many luxuries and gadgets that weren't around when we were their age. And if you deprive them of just one of these luxuries for more than a day, you can get your point across loud and clear. Some of today's teenagers would crumble if they had to go without their Internet access or cell phone for more than a day. If you're the one paying for these services, you have a right to take them away as you see fit. Just be sure the punishment equals the misbehavior. You don't want your teen to go through massive withdrawal syndromes for simply coming home a half hour past curfew.
   
   
4. Make clear boundaries and rules - Teens crave boundaries and regulations even if they say they hate them. During this time of trying to find themselves, they need to know that their parents care about their well-being and safety. Also, make a list of consequences for breaking these rules. They might not always choose to follow the rules, but at least you'll both know what type of punishment to expect as a result of the misbehavior.
   
   
5. Delegate responsibilities to your teen - Misbehaving is sometimes the result of boredom and feeling unwanted or unneeded. By giving them responsibilities that they can handle, you're telling them that you trust them and they are a part of the family in a big way. But be sure you don't give them too much to handle. Remember, they have school and a flourishing social life to nurture.
   
   
6. Encourage them to get a job - A job is a great way to learn responsibility, but that's not the best part for the teen. The positive reinforcement of a weekly paycheck is one of the best experiences they'll have. If they show they can handle a job, though, be a little more lenient with the rules. They are learning to become responsible adults and the only way to encourage that is to start treating them as such.
   
   
7. Let them pay a bill or two...or three - Once your teen has a job, have them pay a small monthly bill that relates to them. Many parents require their teen to pay for their car insurance and gas with the money they earn. The parents should typically take care of the bigger household bills. Just one or two small bills teaches them responsibility and financial management skills.
   
   
8. Treat them with respect - Most teens are just looking for respect. They might be exploring their personalities through weird looks and crazy hairstyles, but they still want to garner the respect of those around them for their individuality. You don't have to treat them as equals, but be sure to look at their life through empathetic eyes. You'll be amazed how far this little tip will get you.

We've all been teenagers, but we sometimes forget what it was like back in our day. Although many things have changed since then, there are still a number of things that remain the same. Regardless of the time era, discipline is a vital factor in any teenager's development. By following the above suggestions, you can hopefully connect with your teen and help them develop into a productive and respectful adult.