Re: Controlling behavior of teenagers
^
1. Teenagers have minds of their own and will make you feel horrible and guilty. They are incredibly manipulative (sometimes without realizing it).
Parents are scared. They are scared of these people that look like adults but don't think like them and don't make sense to them. They are also scared of kids doing worse things. "At least my kid is in my home being naughty."
Parents are in denial. They know deep down that stuff is happening. But it is not easy to face.
Parents are uncertain. They don't know how to talk to their kids and don't know how to go about making rules they can enforce.
Parents are inconsistent. If you make a threat, make sure you're willing to follow-through on it. If you don't/can't, you've lost them.