Strategy for dealing with children supported by the literature

Scenario:
You are a working single parent of a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. Your son has an 11 PM curfew on weekends, but recently, he has been ignoring curfew and coming home after midnight. When you try to address this with him, he either ignores you or gets angry and starts screaming at you. When he's at home, he tends to shut himself away in his room. His latest report card shows that his grades are slipping. You are getting very concerned, but you work full-time and parent by yourself, so you are getting frustrated as well.
At the same time, your daughter has been telling you that she doesn't feel well and doesn't want to go to school. After some prodding, she shared that she has been getting teased at school and bullied online.
After reviewing the learning resources for this week, come up with a strategy for dealing with your children that is supported by the literature on adolescent discipline. What are some of the things that you need to take into consideration? What actions would you implement to try and address the problematic behaviors you are witnessing? What actions would you avoid?

  Strategy for dealing with your children that is supported by the literature on adolescent discipline: Things to take into consideration:
  • Your children's age and developmental stage. Teenagers are going through a lot of changes, both physically and emotionally. They are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. This can be a time of great stress and uncertainty, which can lead to acting out.
  • Your own parenting style. How do you typically discipline your children? Are you consistent with your expectations? Do you follow through on consequences? Your parenting style can have a big impact on how your children respond to discipline.
  • The specific behaviors you are trying to address. What are the specific behaviors that you are concerned about? Are they safety concerns, academic concerns, or behavioral concerns? The specific behaviors will determine the best course of action.
Actions to implement:
  • Set clear expectations and rules. Make sure your children know what you expect of them in terms of curfew, grades, and behavior. Be clear about the consequences for breaking the rules.
  • Communicate openly and honestly with your children. Talk to them about their feelings, their goals, and their challenges. Let them know that you are there for them and that you want to help.
  • Be consistent with your discipline. If you say something, mean it. Follow through on consequences, even if it is difficult. This will help your children learn that you are serious about your expectations.
  • Be patient and understanding. Teenagers are still learning how to make good decisions. They will make mistakes. Be patient and understanding, and help them learn from their mistakes.
Actions to avoid:
  • Don't yell or scream. This will only escalate the situation and make it more difficult to have a productive conversation.
  • Don't make threats that you can't or won't follow through on. This will make your children lose trust in you.
  • Don't punish your children out of anger. This will not be effective and could damage your relationship with your children.
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to disciplining teenagers. What works for one child may not work for another. The most important thing is to be consistent, patient, and understanding. With time and effort, you can help your children develop the skills they need to make good choices and live healthy, happy lives. In addition to the above, here are some other things you can do to help your children:
  • Spend time with them. This could mean going out together, doing activities together, or just talking. Spending time with your children will help you stay connected and build trust.
  • Be a good role model. Show your children how to behave in a respectful and responsible way. They are more likely to follow your example if you model the behavior you want to see in them.
  • Seek professional help if needed. If you are struggling to deal with your children's behavior, don't be afraid to seek professional help. A therapist can help you develop a plan to address the specific issues you are facing.

Sample Solution

Strategy for dealing with your children that is supported by the literature on adolescent discipline: