subject: Child Attitude Problems - How To See The Broader Picture And Give Your Teen Life Skills He Needs [print this page] Child Attitude Problems - How To See The Broader Picture And Give Your Teen Life Skills He Needs
When we are faced with child attitude which is totally negative about everything, it is very tempting to get into a power struggle. After all, you are going to insist that as a parent that certain jobs and things are done and that certain curfews are met and there will be a head on collision, very probably.
It is tempting to focus on the child attitude problems such as rolling the eyes, saying whatever all the time, being bored, texting instead of talking to you, telling you that you are retarded and really being very nasty to his or her siblings. Having a head on collision about these things is just not worth it. We have just got to concentrate on giving our teens life skills and teaching them that they have to take responsibility for their actions. If we can never get beyond the child attitude problems we will never achieve that objective.
But sometimes, child attitude problems can spill over into threats of leaving home because of the stupid rules that you have insisted on. At this point, it is always a good reminder to point out that living away from home might mean having to face poverty, crime, delinquent company, housing and other problems about making ends meet. Ask them if they really want to work eight or nine hours in a shop or fast food joint just to earn a miserable wage. Not much fun!
I have just read a comment on a forum from someone who said 'whatever' to everything and when she refused to comply with the house rules, she left her home like many teenagers do, to crash and burn. She crawled back when she realized that taking responsibility and being accountable were things she still needed to learn and she just did not have any of the life skills to survive in the real world.
As parents that is the key to giving them the life skills they need. Thinking about their behavior, responsibilities and the consequences of any action they take is vital. Why not discover what other strategies you can use to give your teen those life skills and really get beyond the child attitude problems to where the real issues lie.
