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 the sweet little angel face peering up at you won’t ever do such things. Or that the affectionate little guy who calls his mommy beautiful won’t express such monstrous behavior.
But it happens. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere. You wake up one morning and suddenly attitude is written all over your teenager’s face.
For some it begins in the preteen years and for others during them. It can last a short season or several years.
Some say girls are the worst. Okay, I say girls are the worst. But don’t get me wrong, boys get attitudes, too.
So now that I’ve made your day, by letting you know it’s virtually unavoidable…what to do? How do you handle this challenge?
Do you ignore the attitude and wait for the phase to pass? Do you address it every single time it’s displayed?
Here’s where I have learned the line is best drawn…when it crosses into disrespect. For some any form of attitude is disrespectful. But think about it. If this is completely normal, something every teen goes through (remember when you did?) then shouldn’t there be some understanding?
What I try to do is deal with the disrespectful moments as they come. But then I also make humor out of the other events. So when my teen rolls his or her eyes, I will probably do the same, only in a much more exaggerated way.
I’m telling you this stuff works. My teens can’t help but laugh. So to avoid future comedic acts, they tend to avoid doing those things.
The bottom line is this. Mixing in some discipline with a little humor might help you make it through those teen attitudes.