How to Deal With Teenagers Who Make Bad Choices

While it is normal for every teenager to make some bad decisions, pervasively bad behavior is indicative of a trouble teen. As the parent of a troubled teen, you may feel at a loss to help your child. You may also feel a sense of guilt that leads you to question your parenting abilities. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that you can take to help both you and your teen navigate through these difficult years.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand that your parenting is not the only factor at work. Teenage brains are hardwired to test limits and take risks, often leading to bad decisions. That said, it is essential to remain involved in your teenagers life.

    • 2

      Listen to your teen. If you show your teen that it is safe to share their feelings with you, they are more likely to include you in their life and their decisions. This will give you more influence over their actions, and help your to stay on solid footing as a parent.

    • 3

      Set high standards for your teen. Explain to them that while nothing they could do would make them love you less, certain behaviors will simply not be tolerated.

    • 4

      Set and enforce strong rules. While it can be difficult to set boundaries for a defiant teen, it is possible. The key is to consistently enforce consequences for bad behavior. Never threaten your teen with a punishment that you do not intend to carry out.

    • 5

      Discuss difficult issues and topics with your teen. Drugs, alcohol, sexuality and peer pressure are often the cause of bad decisions. The more that your teen knows about these issues, they better equipped they will be to make good decisions.

    • 6

      Praise your teen for good behavior. Not only will doing so boost their self-esteem, it will help them to learn that good decisions are rewarded. Many teens fail simply fail to recognize good decisions as a positive alternative.

    • 7

      Seek support. Teens often make bad decisions due to insecurity or emotional pain. A professional counselor can help them deal with these emotions and choose a more positive lifestyle. Family or individual counseling can also be useful for parents, providing them with reassurance and training on how to handle their teen.

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