How to Motivate a Teen Who Is Rebellious

Most teens go through a rebellious phase, even when they don't express it through piercings, rainbow hair dye or incessant scowling. When your teen is feeling rebellious, he̵7;s probably not motivated to do anything that you deem acceptable, appropriate or necessary. This might include homework, housework or even speaking anything more than monosyllables during family dinners. While this stage won̵7;t last forever, his are not the years your child can afford to become unmotivated.

Instructions

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      Understand that your teen is more interested in what her friends think and have to say than what you think and have to say, advises youth specialist and author, Tim Sanford. Understanding that many forms of teenage rebellion are caused by your teen̵7;s desire to move away from you and toward her friends while you fight her on this is likely to help you figure out how to motivate your teen and get her back on track. For example, when your teen begins to move away from you, let her do it, but don̵7;t concede defeat. Stay present and focused on her.

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      Explain things clearly to your teen, advises online resource Empowering Parents. For example, if your unmotivated teen is unwilling to do his homework, don̵7;t just tell him that he has to do it "because you said so." Instead, tell him that you know he̵7;s not feeling motivated, but that not doing his homework now has a lasting impact on his life -- more so than a bad grade or a disappointed parent or teacher. Explain that poor grades today affect his chances of college acceptance and future employment, thus his ability for an independent future. Short, pointless answers won't help motivate your teen.

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      Show her a glimpse of that future, advises psychologist Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D. For example, if your teen is unmotivated to do her school work, stay out of trouble or think about college, show her what she has to gain by taking her to visit college campuses. If there is one college she wants to go to or one career she aspires to, take her to meet with an admissions officer. Her lack of motivation to do things because you want her to do them might change when she hears from someone with authority that she needs to get motivated now to have any hope of attending that college.

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