Tips for talking to your teen about taking responsibility during summer months
Posted May 14, 2015 7:23 am.
Last Updated May 14, 2015 7:24 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – School is almost done for another year, and with that can come either the start of summer school or the search for a job.
But what if your teen is opposed or refusing to take the responsibility you expect?
They’re going to have to suffer a few real consequences before their behaviour changes, says local counsellor Alyson Jones. That doesn’t mean getting into power struggles; it means setting limits and sticking to them.
“Don’t say to your kid, ‘You have to get a job and you have to contribute,’ and then not follow through with it and still pay for everything for them,” she advises.
“They’re going to have to suffer a few consequences — real ones, in their world — before they shift the behaviour,” says Jones.
She suggests having a conversation before the summer starts; that would give you a chance to explain what you expect, and your child can give their input.
