Why is it so hard to raise teenagers nowadays?

Maria - posted on 06/06/2009

It all depends on how you've brought them up from they were young. You'd be surprised to find out that whatever you've instilled in them when they were young, they carry on to their teenage years. My sons are now 17 and 16, respectively, and so far, we haven't had any major problems with them other than usual teenage tantrums once in awhile. lol

Ma. Emmanuela - posted on 06/06/2009

They are 12 and 13, the way they speak to me hurts me a lot there's no respect.I never heard them talking to their father the way they talked to me, especially when we argue about household chores and household policies. To think that I don't punish them the way their father do, as much as possible I don't want to spank them because they are big girls already, I talk to them with their wrong attitudes and wrong deeds, but their father does the opposite. So I'm wondering why they treated me bad? I'm always there for them, they could easily approached me compared to their father. Why can't I have the same respect?

Susan - posted on 06/05/2009

because now a days they know what they can and can't do.. there are many websites that are out there that shows kids what their rights are, etc.. i had problems with my son and since he was over the age of 14, he could decide whatever he wanted to do.. how crazy is that.. i even heard there's a law in MS to where if you spank your child from 0-18yrs of age, the parents will have jail time.. this means spanking them either outside your home or inside.. this is a very touchy subject for me.. you just need to make sure you both agree with the discipline, COMMUNICATE with each other.. you can still have some great time with your kids just don't over do it.. there are many parents out there that want to be their friend and not the parent.. I believe you still need to give a child their boundaries.. they need to know who the boss is in the house.. Okay.. I'm done blabbing.. how old are your teenagers???? What kind of difficulties are you having?

Pattie - posted on 06/05/2009

It has always been hard to raise teenagers. My mom raised 7 children, she would tell you the same thing. Her father probably said the same thing about her!



They are trying out their wings getting ready to leave the nest. We know they aren't ready to fly but they don't. They see our protection as restriction. Plus the fact that we just don't want to let them go! There are so many more bad things for them to get into; so many bad influences.



One piece of advice: get them into a good church youth group. This will give them something to do to keep them out of trouble; and will allow them to be around other kids who are a good influence. Not all of the kids will be good kids; but many of them will. Another piece of advice: Pray without ceasing. God can work wonders.



Dr. James Dobson is one of the country's foremost child psychologists. His advice on the teenage years: "Just get 'em through it!"

Ma. Emmanuela - posted on 06/05/2009

Thanks Maria for the tip ,I have along way to go compared to you. So, I'll take that advice. Sometimes, it's just so hurting when you think of the times how much you take care of them and protect them you will bet your life just to avoid them being hurt.

Carolee - posted on 06/05/2009

Hello Emmanuela ! My name is Carolee. It think it is hard to raise teenagers for many reasons.


First the public School System has drained almost all of the fun out of learning. Most kids I talk with are board ! Instead of actually teaching our children math or Spanish they are teaching them things like tolerance and how to make an igloo out of foam :D


Second the movies kids are watching are directly and indirectly teaching our young people what their relationships with people should be like.


Third some parents are tired and or not equiped and are just not up for the fight . They dont know how to transition from mom to mentor or maybe even, in a lot of cases, transition from best friend to mom.


It takes a lot of time and energy to be a parent and some parents just dont have it.


I would recommend taking them out of High School if you feel they are going in the wrong direction with their lives .


I hope that you know there are many options for you to choose from for a better education and environment . My 17 year old son is in an independant study program and loves it ! He Is social and has plenty of time to pursue what he loves to do .


It's not to late to redirect :D

Maria - posted on 06/05/2009

I know how you feel I have 4 children,girls 18&21 now I thought they were bad lol but the boys seem to be more backchat,the way they speak to me is just rude!! i would never speak to my parents that way not even now.But hey the kids of today are different,times have changed so have our kids.We can just guide them,ley them know how micy we loves,care&support them,keep telling them off lol and letting them know there are Consequences for wrong actions.