Do you know that the teenagers are really elegant?

Do you know that the teenagers are really elegant?

Yes, not all teenagers are rude or disrespectful, but some disrespect is a normal part of teenage growth and development. This is partly because your child is learning to express and test out his own independent ideas, so there will be times when you disagree.

Developing independence is a key part of growing up and a good sign that your child is trying to take more responsibility. But they’re also still learning about how to handle disagreement and differing their opinions appropriately.

Also, your child’s moods can change quickly. Because of how teenage brains develop, your child isn’t always able to handle their changing feelings and reactions to everyday or unexpected things. And this can sometimes lead to over-sensitivity, which can lead in turn to grumpiness or rudeness. Sometimes disrespectful behaviour might also be a sign that your child is feeling particularly stressed or worried.

Tips for communication:
Stay calm. This is important if your child reacts with ‘attitude’ to a discussion. Stop, take a deep breath and continue calmly with what you want to say.
Use humour.

A shared laugh can break a stalemate, bring a new perspective or lighten the tone of a conversation. Being light hearted can also help take the heat out of a situation – but avoid mocking, ridiculing or being sarcastic.

Ignore your child’s shrugs, raised eyes and bored looks if he’s generally behaving the way you’d like him to. Give your child descriptive praise when they communicates in a positive way.

Whenever you have positive interactions, point this out to your child. This lets them know you’re aware of and value their opinions.

Tips for setting clear limits:
Involve your child in working out limits and rules. When your child feels that you listen to their and they can contribute and will be more likely to see you as fair and stick to the agreed rules.

Be clear about the behaviour you expect. It can help to check that your child has understood your expectations.

Discuss mutual responsibilities with your child. Agree in advance with your child in a positive approach, what the consequences will be if they don’t stick to the rules you’ve agreed on.

Use descriptive praise when your child follows through on agreed limits. Be willing to discuss and adjust rules as your child shows responsibility or gets older.