Teens who break the rules at home

A teenager in his eagerness to want to show his personality or his identity and make it clear that he can have his own thought , is more than likely to break the rules at home only to disobey your authority and strain the relationship. It is a way to test yourself and know how far you can break the rules by looking for your own limits in patience.

In this sense, as a father or mother that you are, it is more than necessary that you seek calm within yourself so that if your adolescent children break the rules at home, you know how to react and know how to put them on the right track. In this way, harmony and coexistence in the home will return to its channel of tranquility and family peace.

EXERCISE YOUR AUTHORITY

In an effort to exercise authority while trying to keep the peace, many parents formulate a set of house rules that all children are expected to follow. However, your stubborn and independent teenager may struggle with rules that he considers unfair or directed at younger siblings.

Help keep your family on track by imposing and punishing your teenager for breaking house rules, including providing natural and logical consequences for your child’s actions.

CREATE A LIST OF HOUSE RULES

Create a list of house rules that clearly states what is expected of your teenager and the possible consequences associated with breaking a particular rule. For example, if the adolescent is caught talking on the phone after his curfew, the punishment is the loss of telephone privileges for one day. 

Whatever the punishment , it is recommended that it be logically adjusted to the offense committed. For example, don’t take the phone away from your child if they miss a curfew … but do anticipate a curfew for the next day. Instead, pick up the phone if your teen abuses her phone privileges.

THE CONSEQUENCES MUST BE LOGICAL

Following the previous point, the consequences for breaking the house rules should be logical according to these rules. For example, if your teenager brought the motorcycle without gas, he will have to refuel with his savings or go without the motorcycle for several days. Explain the consequences to your child in advance and note that another infraction will lead to more severe consequences.

BE CONSTANT

You must be consistent in the consequences of your teenager and consequently, and if necessary, increase the severity of the punishment if you continue to disobey certain house rules. For example, every time your teen uses his computer without permission, the amount of time he loses access increases.  Eventually, if the adolescent does not follow the house rule regarding computers, they lose access to this technology for a set amount of time, such as a week.

PRAISE IS NOT LACKING

It is important that you praise your child for obeying the house rules and rewarding them for doing so. For example, if your child doesn’t break the house rules for a week, invite him to a movie night with his friends. Remind your teenager that the natural consequence of obeying the rules is continuous access to his motorcycle, telephone, or television, for example.

BE YOUR BEST EXAMPLE

Remember that if you want your adolescent to have good behavior, it is more than important that you always be a good example of reference both in behavior and attitude, especially in conflict situations. You must bear in mind that it will always imitate your behaviors.