Search Results for: blog dont take teen attitudes personally

Teen Challenges: Attitudes

I started off this new series on teen challenges with the issue of lying.  Today’s parenting topic is the challenge of dealing with teen attitudes. At some point even the most compliant, “model” child will display some version of an attitude.  It could be eye-rolling, clucking of the tongue, shaking of the head, arms folded, feet stamping, or words such as “Whatever,” “Oh my gosh!” or even, “I hate you!” Attitudes can also include doors slamming, objects being tossed and storming off to sulk. Some are less dramatic, while others go all out. I wish I could tell you that … Continue reading →

A Teen’s Reputation

How do you break out of a bad reputation? It can be really difficult and a painful lesson that one of my children is learning. It becomes even more frustrating when it’s a situation at church, and adults are involved. Youth leaders, who are supposed to be helping teens through these sometimes difficult years, yet can’t seem to let go of past behavior. Now I’m not talking out-of-control behavior. I’m speaking of a teen with an attitude and talking when you aren’t supposed to. Yet no matter how my child tries to remake herself, the old is the only thing … Continue reading →

Menopause and Teenage Hormones Don’t Mix

I am starting to feel like I have been dealt a bad hand. Back when I first had my children, I thought the timing of their births was perfect. They were spaced out in a way that really worked. Unfortunately I didn’t give much thought to the future and what would happen when I would find myself having three teenagers at one time. Not only that but throw into the mix of teenage hormones the changes my body has decided to go through and you have quite a combination. I am quickly learning that menopause and teenage hormones don’t mix. … Continue reading →

Love Your Teen Even When They Are Unlovable

I really love reading. Not all of my children have developed the same voracious appetite for it but I still try to find reading material that will appeal to them. Sometimes I pick up something that is not necessarily for entertainment but for their character. Most of the time when I get a book that is geared toward character development; I will hand it to my child and strongly encourage them to read it. Yesterday I picked up a book from the library that I was going to hand to my daughter but then a revelation hit me. Why not … Continue reading →

Stricken with the “Teen Bug”

I have been having some sad moments lately as a mom. About two weeks ago my only daughter turned 13 years old. Up until that point everything was going smoothly. I thought this whole preteen thing was pretty easy and anticipated that it wouldn’t change much once she hit that magic number. I was wrong. It’s like something took over her when she turned 13. I came up with my own term for it. It’s called the “Teen Bug.” Bug as in sickness, like when you get hit with the “flu bug.” I say bug because eventually you get better … Continue reading →

Giving Teens a Mental Health Day

I would like to take credit and say that I came up with the idea of giving teens a mental health day but it was actually a friend of mine. A few years ago, when my children were younger, our church had a special service for the graduating seniors in our youth group. Every year they do something unique and that particular year the seniors had put together a video where they expressed thanks to their parents and how their parents had helped them during high school. My friend’s daughter talked about a stressful time she was going through and … Continue reading →

Teenagers Aren’t the Only Ones Who Feel Pressure

Peer pressure is not something that just teenagers deal with. I think parents of teenagers can also feel pressure. Our pressure is a bit different but the way it feels is probably very similar. The pressure parents of teenagers have is related to the balance between parenting the way the world dictates and parenting the way we think is best. I have learned over the years of being a parent that not every decision I make will be appreciated. I’m not even talking about my children accepting my decisions. I am referring to decisions that I make as a parent … Continue reading →

Shot through the Heart

Here’s a reality if you are the parent of a teen.  Sometimes it is going to hurt your heart. In fact, this past week I found myself humming the tune of an old 80’s favorite, “Shot through the Heart” by Bon Jovi.  Why?  Because that is exactly how an incident made me feel. Teen attitudes can get in the way of joy.  Adding to this, teens can be pretty unimpressed by our efforts to make life enjoyable or fun.  And oftentimes they tend to see the glass as half-empty instead of half-full. So here I thought I had discovered a … Continue reading →

What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

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Researchers at Harvard Medical School have determined that Intermittent Explosive Disorder is more common than originally thought. It is a severe and persistent disorder that goes beyond the usual teenage angst and anger. Concerned parents might consider speaking with a psychologist about whether or not their teen has this disorder. I have to admit, I had never heard of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or IED, before reading an article from Time. It is a real disorder that affects around 8% of teens, (which comes to about 6 million teenagers). This disorder is quite different from the usual “attitude” that teenagers typically … Continue reading →

Those Rocky Moments

A friend recently reminded me to not take things my teen says personally. It was good advice but hard to receive. You can never really be prepared for those sometimes rocky moments that happen between a parent and a teenager. They can come out of nowhere, leaving you to wonder what just happened. In the midst of the chaos however, as a parent there are some things we need to remember. In addition to the advice of not taking things personally, we should also remember these things… Teens sometimes say things they don’t really mean Teens sometimes speak out of … Continue reading →