"You're grounded for life!" I heard that once when I was 13. I'll spare you the details, or perhaps bring it up in another article because there are some parenting points invovled. It's so very easy to frustrated with our kids. I think it is even easier and more frustrating when they are teenagers. One minute you get a glimpse of the young adult they are becoming, and the next second the are acting like the toddler they once were. At the same time, as a parent you want to avoid saying anything, even in anger, that you cannot back up or follow through on. When you do, it teaches your teen at least three things that you do not want to teach: 1) You don't mean what you say. 2) You do not have to be taken seriously. 3) As long as they can endure your temper tantrum and lecture, they can pretty much do whatever they want. Abnother problem with grounding In order to have a prisoner, there has to be a jailer, and I doubt that you would want to play that role for the rest of your child's life. ParentTip One - You might try this - ask your teen what they think a fair consequence might be. I know this sounds nuts, but it works.Oftentimes, they come up with something harsher than you ever would have. ParentTip Two - Make sure the consequence is strong enough to get their attention, swift enough after the offense so your teen can connect cause and effect, and short term enough so the teen can have another chance to do well soon. |
