If you have difficult teenagers in your home, you have our sympathy.
It is not fun to live in a combat zone and worry that everyday will bring more battles and fights.
Once you recognize the reason for the continued anger and disrespect may be poor communication patterns, you have to make the decision to continue fighting or to just hope it will stop. it will not stop on it’s own.
If you decide that your family deserves a more harmonious atmosphere, you will be choosing to change a habit. Fighting has probably become the default method of communication. Any pattern or habit that has been learned, can also be unlearned, but it takes commitment and practice.
Change Is Possible And Worth The Effort
The three most powerful words in English language is: I Can Change.
Communication will improve when you want it to, and especially if you have learned new ways of getting them to connect to the family. As long as there is no alcohol or drugs involved, most teenagers will stop fighting when they see that they are not going to keep pushing your buttons and make you mad.
Listen More Than Talk
Truly being present for another person is the most powerful life skill there is. By listening, I mean truly understanding where they coming from and what they really need. By restating what they have said and making sure it is what they meant to convey, you can avoid misunderstandings.
There are many programs that can assist you in parenting endeavors but I recommend one ahttp://www.DisciplineYesPunishNo.com
Good Luck, this is not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it. Your family deserves to build strong connections and happy memories.
Your friend,
Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family relationship author and keynote speaker
