Raising a teenager might seem like it would be easy as your child is close to being an adult.
However, there are a few challenges that you might face that you didn’t think your teen would go through. As your teen experiences these challenges, talk about ways to get through the issue without getting into trouble and with as little heartbreak as possible.
Drugs
This is something that many teens will face while they are in school or with friends.
It sometimes begins in middle school but is commonly seen in high school. Talk to your teen about drugs, giving information about what drugs look like and how to say no to peer pressure. Make sure your teen knows that there are items that could look like normal substances, like candy, but are really drugs.
Lying
While this might be something that is expected, it can present a challenge if it gets out of hand.
There are times when your teen might lie about something simple, such as not having homework to do or getting a lower grade than reported. It turns into a problem when there are lies about where your teen has been at night or who your teen has been associating with.
Another common lie is your teen saying he will be at a friend’s house but going somewhere else instead. Talk to your teen about lying through the rest of his life and the consequences that could be faced.
DUI
Drinking and driving never mix together. If your teen has been given a ticket for a DUI, then you need to first find an attorney who can help lower the charges or get the sentence reduced.
Talk to your teen about the effects of drinking and driving and drinking in general.
Shoplifting
If your teen is caught shoplifting, it could lead to criminal charges. There will likely be several conversations about why people shouldn’t shoplift.
Don’t try to protect your teen from any consequences faced as your teen made the decision to steal. Try to instill reasoning to not live a life of being a thief. Talking to a lawyer is very important with this type of situation, say the experts at Clark & Clark LLC.
Abuse
This is something that might be an issue with boys rather than girls, but girls can be bullies as well.
If you hear your teen saying bad things about the opposite sex, then you need to quickly explain that it’s uncalled for and that everyone has a purpose in life. You also need to explain the meaning of disrespect.
If your teen is physically abusing someone else, then it’s time to begin taking away privileges and finding out why he is hitting others. This could get them in a lot of trouble down the road if they don’t change their habits.
Quitting
When your teen comes to you about quitting a sport that he tried out for, the best thing to do is not let them quit. If they put forth the effort making the team, then the season should be completed.
There are others on the team counting on them, and if they don’t like the sport, then they may not have to play next year.
There are several challenges that might seem normal to teens, but they can be emotional, heartbreaking and dangerous if they persist. Some of them can be handled easily at home while others might need some kind of intervention.
Communication is the key to making sure your teen knows right from wrong and makes the best decisions.
Anita Ginsburg
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