Rebellion In Teenagers - 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity (2024)

Dealing with rebellion in teenagers? Here are the 9 best tips that will save your sanity and help you modify your teen’s behavior.

Hey my friend,

Let’s chat about rebellion in teenagers.

Are you struggling to change your teen’s behavior?

If so, you’re not alone.

Teenagers have the reputation of being stubborn and constantly struggling against any attempts to control their behavior.

That being said, teaching your child to exhibit positive, healthy, and effective behaviors is still an important part of parenting.

Even though they might not appreciate your efforts now, chances are they will when they get older.

Changing your rebellious teen’s behavior requires a plan.

Test these 9 strategies out if you want to deal better with rebellion in teenagers and ideally modify your teen’s behavior:

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP # 1 – Emotional drama isn’t necessary.

Oh yes teens love drama but that doesn’t mean you need to buy into the same games.

In case you haven’t worked it out, yelling and high levels of emotion are rarely effective at changing your teen’s behavior.

Your teen will only be energized to be more resistant.

Some actually enjoy the fact that you’re emotionally compromised.

So stay calm and hold strong.

Don’t buy into the drama!

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #2 – Focus on what your child loves to do.

Nowadays teenagers value different things than we did back when we were young (back then our bikes were our ultimate source of freedom).

Instead teens are currently obsessed with their electronic devices – their cell phones, TV, laptops and video games.

You might have a teen who is more into sports or fashion though.

Take the time to think about what they would miss the most having.

What privilege would serve as an effective deterrent for your teen if they had to do without?

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #3 – Rewards and punishments are teen specific.

Make sure to keep in mind that each teen is a unique individual.

What works for one teen may not work for another.

One teen might live for video games, while another is disinterested.

A cell phone might be the most important thing in the world to some teens, but not to others.

There isn’t a master list of rewards and punishments.

Your creativity is key.

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #4 – Be consistent.

Here’s the bad news – if you make a threat and don’t follow through on it, you are teaching your kids and teens that mom doesn’t always mean what she says.

They think:

Mom always changes her mind.

Mom can be persuaded to not give that particular punishment out.

FYI: All the threats in the world will eventually be ignored if you fail to keep your word.

So make sure to do what you say you will do and ensure that you follow through.

Your teen will respect you more if you keep your word.

And you will respect yourself more too if you stick to your guns.

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #5 – Punish by removing privileges.

Removing privileges is the best form of punishment if it motivates your teen to change or improve their behavior.

For example, you might take your son’s iPhone from him for failing to complete his homework.

However please note it’s difficult to encourage good behavior via punishment alone, so make sure build some rewards into your plan, too.

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #6 – Restore those privileges when better behavior is observed.

When your son completes his homework for two days in a row, you can return his phone.

This way, your son gets practice performing the proper behavior – completing his homework.

He is then rewarded for his good behavior.

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #7 – Avoid bribing.

Uh oh, you may not be happy to hear this news but you can’t bribe your way to good behavior any more effectively than you can rely solely on punishment to establish good behavior.

Avoid bribing at all costs.

An effective mindset is: “Your poor behavior led to the loss of this privilege, and your good behavior will restore it.”

Repeat after me: “Your poor behavior led to the loss of this privilege, and your good behavior will restore it.”

Make sure to reward good behavior, but do so after the fact.

Avoid promising a reward for good behavior before the task is complete (aka this is bribery!).

For example, it would be fine to say, “You got an A on your physics exam! Let’s go out to dinner.” This is more effective than, “I’ll take you out to dinner if you get an A.”

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #8 – Be reasonable, but avoid negotiation.

As a parent, you are the adult and you are the one in control (even though it doesn’t always feel like it!).

This is true nonetheless so make sure you are careful when it comes to negotiations.

Allowing a child to negotiate punishment and rewards puts the control in your teen’s hands.

You are the adult my friend and you get to set the rules.

Set reasonable consequences and stick to your guns.

Rebellion In Teenagers – 9 Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

TIP #9 – Be patient.

If your plans aren’t working, first give it time.

Many teens will pretend they don’t care about their punishment just to prove a point.

• If you’re still not seeing results after some time has passed, take it a step further. Remove an additional privilege.

• Ensure that your child isn’t circumventing your punishment. For example, your teen might be texting from the computer, instead of via her cell phone which is in your pocket.

In the end, it can seem impossible to alter your teen’s behavior for the better.

But I promise you will get there in the end!

They are still in their teen years learning to navigate themselves in this crazy world.

Do your best to remove your ego from the equation and try a new approach if required.

It is fine to allow your teen to control the outcome with their behavior.

Remember bad behavior results in the loss of a privilege.

Your child has the ability to earn it back by exhibiting proper behavior.

Be patient and stay consistent my friend and you will get there in the end!

Your teen might not like it in the meantime but they will respect you more once you have clearly defined boundaries set and you don’t change the lines of that boundary on a regular basis.

Wishing you the best of luck,

Frances xxx

Before You Go…

• Grab your free gift: How To Stop Self-Sabotaging Yourself Guide (4 steps to finally get out of your own way) CLICK HERE
• Decide which course will suit you best CLICK HERE
• Listen to my Inspiring Mom Life podcast on Spotify or via Apple Podcasts.