Mark,
Earlier today I overheard some parents talking about how traditional punishments stopped working for today’s teens and it got me thinking. Sending a teen to their bedroom really isn’t much of a punishment. They have so much to do in there that it’s fun - and making them stay home isn’t much of a discouragement either as many teens prefer to stay home.
Here are some creative punishments that will get you results when used as a threat or an actual punishment:
* Completely block their Internet access for a x days using your router.
* Delete all their MP3s off their computers and iPod.
* Delete their saved games off of their Xbox, PlayStation, etc.
* Delete all their ringtones and contacts off their cell phone.
* Delete their porn collection on their computer. Yes, even your child has one.
* Sell their iPod, game consoles, and/or camera on eBay and use the cash to buy something for yourself that they won’t enjoy.
* Sell their car and make them ride a bicycle, or worse, public transportation.
* Edit their MySpace profile and put Mom, Dad, Grandparents, and all their siblings in their Top 8. Delete all other friends except maybe ugly/unpopular ones. Then change their password so they can’t switch it back.
* When their friends call, pretend you’re getting them, then say, “___ said s/he will call you back after s/he’s finished watching his/her favorite 7th Heaven episode for the third time today.”
* Take all their favorite clothes and donate them to the Salvation Army, leaving them only with uncool dress clothes.
I didn’t list these in any particular order, but some should be reserved for more serious infractions.
My Out-of-Control Teen
Earlier today I overheard some parents talking about how traditional punishments stopped working for today’s teens and it got me thinking. Sending a teen to their bedroom really isn’t much of a punishment. They have so much to do in there that it’s fun - and making them stay home isn’t much of a discouragement either as many teens prefer to stay home.
Here are some creative punishments that will get you results when used as a threat or an actual punishment:
* Completely block their Internet access for a x days using your router.
* Delete all their MP3s off their computers and iPod.
* Delete their saved games off of their Xbox, PlayStation, etc.
* Delete all their ringtones and contacts off their cell phone.
* Delete their porn collection on their computer. Yes, even your child has one.
* Sell their iPod, game consoles, and/or camera on eBay and use the cash to buy something for yourself that they won’t enjoy.
* Sell their car and make them ride a bicycle, or worse, public transportation.
* Edit their MySpace profile and put Mom, Dad, Grandparents, and all their siblings in their Top 8. Delete all other friends except maybe ugly/unpopular ones. Then change their password so they can’t switch it back.
* When their friends call, pretend you’re getting them, then say, “___ said s/he will call you back after s/he’s finished watching his/her favorite 7th Heaven episode for the third time today.”
* Take all their favorite clothes and donate them to the Salvation Army, leaving them only with uncool dress clothes.
I didn’t list these in any particular order, but some should be reserved for more serious infractions.
My Out-of-Control Teen
