05/18/2018
A Parent’s Survival Guide for Coping With Disrepectful Teen in your Home
Assess the behaviors you are seeing in black and white. Do this when you are not irate. List any causes you hypothesize are connected with the behaviors. Note if it was Christmas, what would be the dream corrections you would like to see your teen make?
Make a list of any positive actions your teen displays and immediately begin to praise and reinforce these behaviors every time you see one. I don't care if your child pets the dog; he is very gentle with animals. Be sincere. Build goodwill. There is a high very high probability for child’s self esteem is low. Wounded animals lash out. Remember that
Allow for teen to express creative thoughts or Ideas without pouncing to damper dreams. Please do not add in comments about the unrealistic nature of the dreams let the teen explore and share as it is validating to be heard.
Recruit supporters who you think your teen will be able to relate to or who might be able to support him/her. Lots of people have had teenagers who have gone through difficult periods or Aunts and Uncles are often wonderful. Coaches, 12 step supports, neighbors, all can act as guides and may be able to support your child. There may be isolation and bullying at school and these people may make all the difference in the world Your child will feel their love
Keep commitments and promises You are being monitored for consistency and reliability. Lots of older kids have buried resentments and anger from in the past. They are looking for stability in the storm of hormones, school and life’s craziness. Only make promises you can keep. You are the rock even though they might not admit it. You are their world and as they get better they are surfacing around their trust in you because you saw their pain and invested in them and stuck by them
Seek medical help, spiritual help and psychological help from professionals that are well versed in the issues your teen is facing. Utilize Google, Facebook, reviews whatever you have to do but keep asking until you find the right professionals who will help. Be persistent and be a pain if you have to be. This is your kid and mental health and anger issues unaddressed are to scary. Help is out there. Use school resources. Some kids earn bad reputations by end of high school via poor attitudes, disrespect for authority and may have dicey relationships with school staff but search for that softie on staff and explain privately that you are getting your child help professionally and the special issues your child faces. Work alongside school officials and I have seen miracles happen. They just need parent support and to know the facts.
Build your own personal parent support group for 24/7 assistance you'll need it. Find parents who are coping with teens with similar issues and support each other. This is critical. Do not try and rely on therapy once a week or your psychiatrist both are great. However, you are going to want to talk and get support done days 5 times a day.
Always get immediate emergency help if your teen threatens su***de or hurting someone else. Call 911. Emergency responders are now better prepared then ever to handle teens. As a Nation we have to reach our teens earlier and get them support sooner.
