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“Parenting my angry rebellious teenage daughter is SO HARD!"

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Hi S., I’ve responded to each of your points below. Please look for these arrows: >> >>>>> Good Morning, To begin, I just wanted to say that I joined your online program a few days ago and it has already been so helpful. There seems to be an ample supply of resources in my commu nity for parenting young children, but haven't come across much for parenting the pre-teen and teen age s. I've been studying the materials and started implementing the strategies therein. Which has now brought about a couple of questions I could use some support on. First, a few days ago I removed my daughter's computer privilege for the 3 day time frame. I didn't engage in the power struggle, simply explained the consequence, and stated I wasn't going to argue. The first day went surprisingly well. She did say my rules were dumb and asked for clarification about how long and when she would get computer time back. I told her if there we re no more occurr...

Parenting Children and Teens Who Are Oppositional and Defiant

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==> Effective Disciplinary Techniques for Defiant Teens and Preteens

Oppositional Defiant Disorder [ODD]: Questions & Answers

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==> Help for Parents of Children and Teens with ODD (and comorbid ADHD)

How to Educate Your Teen About "S e x"

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 "What's the most appropriate way to talk to teenagers about the topic of sex education?" Sex education basics may be covered in health class, but adolescents might not hear or understand everything they need to know to make tough choices about sex. That's where parents come in. Awkward as it may be, sex education is your responsibility. By reinforcing and supplementing what your adolescent learns in school, you can set the stage for a lifetime of healthy sexuality. If parents wait for the perfect moment to discuss sexual issues, they may miss the best opportunities. Instead, think of sex education as an ongoing conversation. Here are some ideas to help you get started and keep the discussion going: Clearly state your feelings about specific issues (e.g., oral sex, intercourse). Present the risks objectively, including emotional pain, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancy. Explain that oral sex isn't a risk-free alternative to intercour...

Parenting Defiant Teens: eBook Link

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  ==> My Out-of-Control Teen: Help for Parents

How To Say “No” Without Having An Argument

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According to parenting experts, the average youngster hears the word “no” an astonishing 400 times a week. That's not only tiresome for you, but it can also be harmful to your son or daughter. According to studies, children who hear “no” too often have poorer language skills than kids whose moms and dads offer more positive feedback. Also, saying “no” can become ineffective when it's overused (a little like crying wolf). Some children simply start to ignore the word, while others slip into a rage the minute that dreaded syllable crosses your lips. So what's a parent to do — let her kids run amok without any limits? Well, no! Parents can break out of the “yes-no tug-of-war” by coming up with new ways to set limits. Here are 20 positive ways to answer your child in the negative: 1. Adjust your use of the word "no" over time. For example, in the first year of life, the word "no" is usually reserved for warning your youngster of dangers he...

How to Employ "Scream-Free" Parenting

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Why should parents stop screaming at their kids – in all cases – effective immediately? Here are 4 important reasons why: With parental screaming, your children will learn that they never really have to change their behavior, because screaming is not much of a consequence. Instead, they will just listen to the yelling and do whatever they want to do anyway. And eventually, they will simply tune you out completely. When yelling becomes your usual method of dealing with problems, your kids are also apt to think that it is okay for them to scream a lot. You’re teaching your children that yelling is an appropriate response when one is angry or stressed. Screaming teaches that life, in general, is often out-of-control. Screaming actually empowers your children (but in a bad way), because it gives them the message that you are not in control …and if you are not in control, they assume that they are the ones in charge. If you find yourself yelling at your youngster too often, it’...