| Parenting Question | | | | considergoing on strike in a few areas of household |
| "My lovely, cheerful, ever-helpful 11-year-old daughter | | | | upkeep until she helps out. Myfavorite gone-on-strike |
| has recently turned intoinfluenced by her behavior. | | | | zone is making dinner: I refuse to no longer prepare |
| Now, every meal seems like a battleground. The | | | | ourevening meal without a child helping (they can take |
| 11-year-old is usually making mean remarks and | | | | turns). Dinner can be agreat time when a family can |
| bossing everyone around. I try tobe patient, but it's very | | | | come together to create a wonderful meal and |
| difficult!! She is also prone to raising her voice | | | | sharethe joys and challenges of their day. |
| andshouting at anything. Is this early teenage behavior | | | | 2. Do your best to find out what's at the bottom of it! |
| problems and what can Ido??? "-- Mom Trying to | | | | Regardless if hormones play a part or not, it is |
| Cope with Early Teenage Behavior Problems | | | | important to find out what'sgoing on for her. During a |
| Positive Parenting Tip for Early Teenage Behavior | | | | quiet time (when no one is around) tell your |
| Problems | | | | daughteryou've noticed a change in her and that you |
| Dear Mom Dealing with Early Teenage Behavior | | | | can't imagine she is feeling veryhappy inside to be |
| Problems: | | | | lashing out at the people she loves. Ask her if this is |
| When your lovely sweet daughter has suddenly | | | | thecase. If she says "No", then ask her what is going |
| transformed into a bossytroublemaker and brings | | | | on and find out if there isany way you can support her. |
| down the entire family with the "adolescent blues", itis | | | | If she is unresponsive, remain positive. Tell herthat, |
| important to remember that neither you, nor any | | | | when she figures it out or wants to talk about it, you |
| member of the household,needs to stand under her | | | | are there for herand that you trust she will work it out. |
| rain cloud. Here are a couple of ways to | | | | 3. Don't stand for disrespect. |
| startexperiencing sunny skies again: | | | | It is completely fair to ignore teenagers with |
| 1. Encourage her. | | | | aggressive behavior (eitherverbal or physical). Instead |
| One of my counseling mentors is the late Dr. Dreikurs. | | | | of screaming or raising your voice in response toan |
| He wisely stated that, "Amisbehaving child is a | | | | adolescent who is behaving inappropriately, reply in a |
| discouraged child." Notice the things your daughter | | | | calm voice and saysomething like, "I can see you're |
| doesthat are helpful, the times that she is happy, and | | | | upset right now. When you're ready to talkabout it or |
| mention them to her. One ofthe best ways we can | | | | want a hug, come find me." Then leave the room. |
| encourage children and teenagers is to have them | | | | Don't get intoscreaming matches--you will likely lose. |
| contributemore to the household. Consider having her | | | | The main key is to love and support your child, and to |
| help out more. If she resists (andshe might especially if | | | | not allow early teenagebehavior problems to affect |
| she hasn't been doing much around the home), | | | | you emotionally. |