Keys to Parenting Teens

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Dr. Don Welch Moderator
Dr. Keith Olson
Tonight
Teenagers
Kimberly Whiteford
Rebecca Bass
645 to 800 pm Skyline Auditorium
Jeremy Robertson
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Keys to Parenting Teens

• Honestly Assess Your Teens Needs.
• What do they need to become a successful adult?
• Choose Your Battles Wisely.
• Strength-Based Parenting.
• Encourage your teens strengths natural
  abilities.
• Help your teen build their self-esteem.
• Live your values.
• Build your skills.
• Positive self-talk.

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Keys to Parenting Teens

• Open the Lines of Communication.
• Allow the teen to state his or her opinion.
• Handling disrespect.
• Avoid the Power Struggle.
• Recognize your teens power.
• Give consequences for disobedience, disrespect,
  lying, not age-appropriate behaviors.

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Keys to Parenting Teens

• Use of Contracts.
• A time-limited, specific agreement to earn
  privileges.
• Privileges need to matter to your teen.
• Realize that your teen will sometimes choose to
  NOT EARN the privilege. Consider this normal.
• Consider manipulation vs. normal behavior.
• Consider modification of privilege.

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Sample Contract

• Wednesday, December 5, 2007
• Terms
• Finish all homework w/o complaint by 500 pm.
• Walk Patches by 530 pm.
• Wash hands with soap and clean out the dishwasher
  by 600 pm.
• Privilege(s)
• If done well and on time, __________ will earn 1
  ½ hours of Playstation from 630-800 pm.
• _________________ ___________________
• Signature Witness