Redirection Is Your Friend

What worked with your toddler also works with your teen (and, frankly, all adults, too). Redirection is your friend when your teen is focused on making a terrible decision. It starts by understanding why they made the choice. This is key in choosing how you redirect them. If they made a terrible choice due to stress, help them learn better coping strategies. If they made the choice due to keeping up with their peers, help them save face and get out of the uncomfortable situation. Reason matters with redirection, so take time to understand before giving guidance.

Click here for another 100-word parenting tip.