Break Negative Attention Patterns With Your Teen

Teens starved for attention may learn that while they can’t get positive attention easily, they can get negative attention by not following along. When you make a request, your teen has choices: go along with it, negotiate, or ignore it. Your teen knows your patterns. They know exactly what happens when they reject your request. Therefore, break the routine and ask your teen — calmly — to explain why they’re not following the request. Listen to what they’re saying and repeat it back to them. Give them positive attention, acknowledging their feelings and choices, and you may see a different result.

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