July, 2004
by Shannon K. Spellman, M.S.W.
Try to avoid the why/because game.
Each time you ask why your adolescent did or didn't do something...the automatic answer starts with "because" and actually encourages your teen to give you some excuse for the behavior. And typically that's not what you want from your kid anyway.
Instead, point out the behavior that is not acceptable, (and state what the consequence is if you feel it warrants one), and then follow that with what your expectation is for future behavior.
©2004-2008. Hiding Star Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
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