Teenage is one of the most uncertain periods in the life of kids as well as in the lives of their families. Teenagers are growing individuals who fiercely battle for their freedom and their personalities that can take a toll on parents and caretakers . There is much emphasis placed on discipline through this stage but more so should be autonomy while at the same maintaining order.

Let’s take a look at some of the typical behavioural problems experienced in teenagers and how the best disciplinary measures can be taken.

Understanding Teenage Behaviour

Teenagers develop their self-images and therefore have a high tendency in risking taking and challenging boundaries. Several factors contribute to the Behavioural changes seen during adolescence.

Hormonal Changes

The period of sexual development even entails hormonal changes that could alter moods, energy and feelings. Such shifts may result in mood swings, periods of anger, and may, at times, develop impulsive Behaviours.

Desire for Independence

This is because as the teens grow older they demand more of their independence. It can present itself in forms of rebellion against parents or guardians and questioning authority figures, and leaning more towards friends’ advice than guidance from parents.

Social Pressure

As for teenagers, they are known to be very much buddy-conscious. Students may also act according to the peers’ Behaviours to fit in despite the fact that it is against the family’s beliefs or culture.

Identity Exploration

Identity development is a social process and in the adolescent years youths test various dimensions of personal identity such as values and beliefs as well as interests. This exploration can at times produce behaviours that are rather inflammatory as the teenager experiments with different roles. If the concerned parties are aware of these changes, they will be in a position to handle teenagers’ Behaviour with a lot of understanding knowing that it is due to changes taking place in their body.

Common Behavioural Challenges

There are several specific difficult behaviors that may be observed during the teenage stage of development. Recognizing these challenges is the first step in addressing them effectively.

Rebellion

Adults expect teenagers to be still immature and thus they have to rebel and be independent. These may involve rebellion, provocation, disobedience, lying to parents, challenging teachers and even fighting with one’s parents.

Risk-Taking

Teenagers are more involved in thrill seeking Behaviour; for instance, they are likely to try out drugs or alcohol, drive without due concern for their safety, or practise unsafe sex. This risk-taking is partly due to the brain’s plasticity, or the continuous growth of the organs relating to decisions and ability to control impulses.

Poor Communication

Family-neutral: teens might become less open and more private or lose the desire to discuss things with their kin. This can be quite a dilemma for parents in trying to find out what is going on in the social life of a teenager.

Emotional Outbursts

Strong feelings and a growing capacity for handling them make it possible for adolescents to engage in rather frequent quarrels, temper tantrums, or bouts of angry and frustrated feeling.

Strategies for Effective Discipline

It is also very important to understand that teenagers cannot be managed or disciplined in ways that are used in managing the early children; this calls for an understanding of new teaching and managing style that involves counselling amongst others. Here are some strategies that can help.

Set Clear Expectations

Make sure that you inform the other person of what Behaviour you expect from him or her, as well as what will happen if the expected Behaviour is not exhibited. Be sure that these rules are sensible and safe for teen’s age and include your teen into the process of rule establishment. It also prepares them to be more compliant with the rules since they will not only be affected by the outcome.

Consistency is Key

This is one of the essential aspects in NASAE’s operations since everyone must completely understand that there are rules and, of course, penalties for breaking them. When used with the advent of inconsistent consequences then their impact will be lessened and confusion arises. Be consistent with the established punishments also especially when it is hated.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement contingency comes in the form of verbal praises or even material rewards. Reward based working model is preferable to punishment based working model as the former of the two makes the teen appreciate the gains of embracing proper working model.

Promote Open Communication

Ask your teenager to open up concerning how they feel or what they went through without telling them it is wrong to feel in such a way. Use of good listening skills and responding to a child with empathy can assist in the formation of trust hence the ease of handling the child when this occurs.

Encourage Problem-Solving

If there are problems that call for a confrontation, find ways of engaging your teen in the problem-solving process. It also helps them learn the importance of being responsible whilst at the same time building on their thinking skills. For instance, if your teen has been always waking up late, find out why this is so and develop ways on how to ensure that they do not wake up late again.

Model Respectful Behaviour

Most teens are in the habit of learning from the examples that their parents set. Teach them how you want them to behave especially in relations with others including courtesy, patience and accountability. Whenever you make errors it is important that you own up to them and explain how you are planning to avoid it in future.

Pick Your Battles

That does not mean every problem has to be a battle. Especially, pay attention to the key Behaviours and reinforce decisions on that with willingness to disregard minor concerns. You should be able to focus more on helping your child work through more serious issues since this approach minimises conflict.

Provide Guidance on Peer Pressure

Explain how adolescents rely on their friends, and how to deal with cases where one may realise that the friends are leading him/her to wrong doings. Organisation of various instances will aid your teen in the case when he or she has to refuse or defend a certain point of view.

The years especially when one is a teenager can be rather difficult for the parent as well as the child but the time offers many chances. Though there may be many different reasons connected with teenagers' behaviour, parents, teaching their children the basics of discipline, can help their teens to get through this stage with understanding and respect. For this reason, it is important to keep in mind that discipline is a tool used not to punish a child but to impart important skills in life that the teen ought to learn and should not only be applicable during teenage but should also hold in adulthood.