Ever get so angry at your teen you spouted off, “This conversation is over. You are an ungrateful brat and you’re going to do this because I SAID SO.”??? (or been tempted to say any of this?)

By alvaro tapia hidalgo on Flickr

By alvaro tapia hidalgo on Flickr

Your teen has developed (and is not afraid to use) higher thinking skills which can make even the simplest disagreement seem like a courtroom debate! Use discipline as a tool for teaching and guiding, not for venting or taking revenge.

Be an eParent®! Instead of banning your teen from social networking sites for posting a hurtful comment about another teen, have your child research the consequences of bullying. Remember, it’s not the device that bullied; it’s the user!

Even though your teen may be getting taller and bigger than you, they are still learning and growing in many ways! Allowing your child to feel the consequences of their mistakes is the best way for them to learn the lessons needed. Try being very understanding with your teen when they make a mistake around technology. Allow them to solve the problem they created and feel the consequences from the inside out (“Bummer, son, how are you going to solve this one?”) will go a lot further in their development and in fostering your relationship than solving it for them and feeling the consequence from the outside (“What were you thinking?! You are grounded off of all technology!”).

Find some quick tips on Characteristics of Positive Parent-Child Interactions.

To learn more contact UW-Extension Family Living Programs or like Family Living on Facebook.

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