| The words "teenage" and "rebellion" may seem | | | | each thing must be done, they just tell them |
| like they go hand in hand, but it has not always | | | | WHAT things must be done. "Finish these ten |
| been that way. In the past, getting older meant a | | | | things before 5:00" for example - leaving them to |
| child was becoming an adult. Look at their | | | | decide when they want to do each item. Some |
| behavior that you call "rebellion" and ask yourself | | | | children would prefer to get up at 5:00 and be |
| some questions. Is this behavior really my child | | | | done by noon! Is that wrong? Or just a choice |
| simply becoming an adult? Because sometimes | | | | they make? What if it is on the other side? What |
| what we label as rebellion may be the child | | | | if they get up at noon, and do not finish their |
| beginning to making a decision for themselves. | | | | schoolwork until 5:00? IS that wrong, or just a |
| One thing that may help (MAY help, mind you!) is | | | | choice? |
| to think about the choices that other adults make. | | | | Frankly, in my home, I truly did make them finish |
| If your child makes a decision that you do not | | | | their school work by 4:00. I know that going later |
| agree with, but it is a decision that other adults | | | | MAY have been a fine choice for them to make, |
| make all the time, maybe it is not rebellion at all! | | | | but it did not work well with our family. I needed |
| Maybe it is simply your child growing up! For | | | | my husband to "play the heavy" in some areas, |
| example, their choice in clothing, or how they | | | | so they had to be done before he got home, in |
| style their hair. Their choices may not be your | | | | order for him to work his magic and make sure it |
| choices. But are those choices OK? If another | | | | was all done each day. We had sports in the |
| adult made that choice, would really upset or | | | | afternoons, and I really do not do well after |
| confuse you? Because if not, perhaps it is an OK | | | | dinner. Having them turn in assignments during my |
| choice for your child to make. | | | | own times of fatigue would have been |
| Some parents allow their children many choices in | | | | horrendous! So make sure that you decide what |
| their homeschool. Instead of telling them when | | | | works for you family, more than anything! |