Tips on Teaching Teens About Rules

So, today I’m sharing parenting tips on teaching teens about rules.  Obeying the law can’t start soon enough for teens.  Parenting teens takes skill and forethought.  Teenagers are complex individuals.  Especially, if you take into account that they are finding their place in the world.  This can lead to all sorts of experiments.  You remember when you were a teen, right?  As a result, you have an idea of the influences your teenagers may be exposed to.  

 

 

teaching teens about rules

 

 

 

Parenting teens requires parents to teach them to understand rules and the law.  Understanding the rules and laws help them understand the freedom and privileges they enjoy.  Teaching teens that they are responsible for their actions can help them be better adults.  However, this can be tricky.  It’s a big responsibility as a mom, but it’s not impossible to achieve. These tips on teaching teens about rules and obeying the law can be just the helping hand you need.

 

Teaching Teens About Rules:

 

Rules and the Law

In an editorial in the Huffington Post, Joel Cohen of Talks On Law emphasized a couple of reasons why educators should start teaching law to children at a young age.  Education is starting to shift to a more digitally inclined environment.  As a result, curriculums are now open to a lot of suggestions and modifications.  Parents should at least make children are aware of how rules and the law work.

 

The Importance of Rules

It’s helpful to remember that teenagers are at a time in their lives where they are experiencing many changes.  Things have piqued their curiosity.  Breaking the law, for some, can be tempting.  It gives them a perspective of how it feels to be “above” what they normally have to follow. So, it’s important to make sure teens understand why there are rules.

  • This is why when teaching teens about laws and rules, you should try not to be imposing.  If possible, make it a dialogue so your teens are free to ask questions.  Additionally, do your best to explain things to them as much as possible.

Try to help your teen to understand that rules are important.  Rules allow everyone to enjoy freedom. If someone abuses the rules, someone else loses a privilege.  Likewise, if someone abuses the rules, your teens can lose the freedom to do something they appreciate too.

 

 

teaching your teens about rules

 

 

 

 

What About Consequences

Perhaps another incentive of teaching rules to teens is to help them understand that breaking them has consequences.  There are punishments because those who are expected to follow the law  should have an equal opportunity to benefit from the perks these laws provide.

  • Explaining how certain rules have certain punishments because there are people that were inconvenienced because others didn’t follow the rules.
  • Use examples to demonstrate how certain rules that are broken at home have punishments such as being grounded.  Be sure that your teen understands that rules like this are in place to benefit them.

 

Teaching By Example

Perhaps another helpful concept when teaching teens about rules and obeying the law is to lead by example. You should be the kind of example that allows your teen to see that you are constantly learning about how to be a better citizen by following rules everyday.

  • This extends not just to following road signs, or being a good motorist, but also at home.  When rules are established, you should follow them as well. You should be able to explain why a certain rule is important.  Let them know that rules aren’t there to punish them.
  • If they have doubts about why they should follow rules, perhaps it can be helpful to openly communicate with law enforcement officials who are in the area. Have your teen talk with law enforcement officials so they can freely ask questions.  Make arrangements with a local police officer so your teen can have a conversation with them.

 

A Basic Understanding of Rules and Consequences

When it comes to rules and laws, it’s more or less hit or miss when teaching teens about rules and obeying the law. After all, the complexities of laws can make it quite difficult for them to understand.  These tips on teaching teens about rules and obeying the law could hopefully give you a better perspective on how to approach the issue.  If you’re looking into the legal implications of the subject, please click here.

 

teaching teens about rules and obeying lawsAbout the author: Thalia Mott

Thalia Mott has had a decade of experience as a law writer, which she hopes to share through her works. She is an avid sports fan and loves watching games if she has free time.

Disobedient Children Are Hazardous

Do you have children who are disobedient? Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on guiding disobedient children.  Did you know that disobedient children can become hazardous?  It’s hard to admit that our children are the darling little angels that we dreamed about.  Children want things their way, but they have a limited way of expressing their emotions.  As a result, they act out by crying, screaming, hitting, or using other avenues.

They go as far as they can by testing our limits. They want results, they want you to give in and allow them to have their way. There’s good news, disobedient behavior should pretty much disappear by the time children reach their teens.   At least the screaming, hitting and crying should disappear. However, prepare for a new set of behaviors to appear. 

 

 

parenting tips, parenting, disobedient children

 

Disobedience becomes a habit with your child, so you need to take appropriate action quickly.  First, teaching your child to obey rules and to be respectful is a part of parenting.  Obeying rules is a part of living in a society.  Additionally, children must display respect at home and at school, while driving, playing on the beach and every other area of their life.  They must understand that disobedience can lead to:

  • Poor relationships
  • Becoming an underachiever
  • Poor grades
  • Problems with the law
  • Disrespect of others
  • Violence

If your child becomes disobedient and is displaying any of the problems above, you may want to assess what’s happening in your home and seek outside help if needed. Children will also act out if they’re feeling stressed, unloved, or witnessing problems at home. Children may also act out if:

  • A parent is absent or not involved
  • Alcohol or drugs are being abused
  • Rules or boundaries are not established
  • Family members yell and scream
  • Lack of money is causing problems
  • Violence is prevalent

 

Additionally, children will act out and become rebellious and disobedient if there are problems at home. Most importantly, ignoring your child’s disobedience and problems in your home will not make them go away.  Seeking counseling is a good way to help resolve problems before the child becomes out of control and encounters legal problems. As a result, they must understand the importance of obeying rules and the consequences they will encounter if they choose to disobey.

Years ago, my daughter and I attended counseling sessions. I accepted the fact that I didn’t have all the answers. It helped me tremendously to see things from a teenager’s perspective, and become a better parent during her teenage years.

Although I have parented successfully, I don’t consider myself to be a child expert by any means. I also know that schools, churches and many employers offer family counselors to assist families when they need help. Last, don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek it if you need it.  Once their child becomes hazardous, many parents wish they had reached out.  Don’t be a parent who looks at things in hindsight, deal with the problems when the occur. You and your child will be thankful for your insight.

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