How to Correct a Teen Girl's Misbehavior

In an ideal world, your teen girl does all her homework, completes her chores in a timely fashion and handles disagreements with grace. In the real world, communication breakdowns can leave you and your daughter at odds with each other -- and her behavior might grow worse due to the divide. Although your teen's misbehavior might leave you anxious and upset, there are several steps you can take to nip the behavior in the bud.

Instructions

    • 1

      Establish rules and consequences for your teen girl. Make the rules clear to her and the consequences appropriate for breaking the rules. Ensure that the rules are reasonable. For example, if you are setting a curfew for your teen, check with other parents to see what curfews their teens have. You should also try to give your teen a say in setting the rules and consequences, notes MayoClinic.com, as teens who help set their own rules are more likely to abide by them.

    • 2

      Consider the sources of your daughter's misbehavior when she breaks the rules. Determine if she's acting out to get attention, to get approval from peers, or as an outlet for her emotions. Choose a time when you are both calm to discuss her misbehavior. Remain calm when you are speaking to her. Give her the opportunity to talk without interruption or judgment about what she did as this can give you insight into her behavior, notes the Center for Young Women's Health. You also want to discuss the misbehavior with your daughter in private. Shaming or making an example of her in front of others can breed more poor behavior in the future, according to HealthyChildren.org, a website of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    • 3

      Keep your focus on what your teen did wrong -- and avoid making judgments about her character. For example, if you learn that she skipped her Friday afternoon classes, don't call her lazy or say that she's deceitful. Instead, just focus on the fact that she didn't do what she was expected to do at a certain time. You can explain the kinds of actions and behaviors you expect from her in the future such as knowing better than to skip class.

    • 4

      Enforce the agreed-upon consequence. Being consistent with enforcing consequences is key to reducing misbehavior, notes the Education.com website. If you don't have an agreed-upon consequence for your teen's action, enforce an appropriate consequence to fit the act. For example, if she skipped her Friday afternoon classes, but you didn't address this type of behavior when you set the rules and consequences, you might take away her privilege of going out with her friends over the weekend as a consequence.

    • 5

      Pay attention to what your daughter does well. Misbehavior might be an attempt to get you to pay attention to her. Issuing specific praise for what she does well, and reminding her that you love and care for her, can encourage more positive behavior in the future, according to HealthyChildren.org.

    • 6

      Talk to your teen's doctor or a family therapist if your daughter's misbehavior is a continual struggle and/or worsening.

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