Is It an Adolescent Phase or Out-of-Control Behavior?
Part II: 8 Ways to Manage Acting-out Kids
by James Lehman, MSW

Learn 8 practical steps to hold your teen accountable

In part two of this series, James discusses eight ways to challenge acting out behavior in kids today—from disrespect to breaking curfew to alcohol and substance abuse—in order to start changing your child's behavior tomorrow.

I think it’s important for parents of acting-out teens to ask themselves this question: If your teenager is abusing you verbally, calling you disgusting names and punching holes in the walls, what kind of husband or father do you think he's going to make?

Unless something dramatic happens, people stay on the course of the lives they set in motion in childhood and adolescence. And if the course of your child’s life is petty criminal behavior (starting with stealing from you), using drugs and alcohol, and intimidating everybody at home, know that this is not going to change on its own. Make no mistake, this is not a phase—rather, it’s a sign that your child is developing unhealthy behaviors that may stay with him his entire life.

Next Week in EP:

Kids Who Ignore Consequences

Latest Blog Headlines

	*When Your Best Isn’t Good Enough…Have You Failed as a Parent?* By EP Parent Blogger, Melody
Melody is a certified teacher, now a stay–at–home mom of three and Parent Blogger for EP. This week, she shares her parenting challenges and frustrations—and the guilt and uncertainty she sometimes feels in trying to raise her ADHD kids. “For my children, hearing, listening, following directions, and compliance with others is like pulling teeth. There are many days when I feel like I’ve failed as a parent, and my kids are still so young. When you throw in their ADHD (and mine) into the mix, it makes for some pretty difficult days.”


Click here to read all the latest EP blog posts, including a discussion on effective consequences and a post from a former middle school teacher on how structure and clear expectations can help kids in the classroom and at home.

One-Minute Transformations

*Let the Child Do It* Do you find yourself doing things for your child that he is capable of doing himself? In this month's OMT, James shows you ways to teach your child how to do things for himself.

The EP Forums
Where Parents Empower Each Other

What Parents are Talking about Now:
Son, 16, Crashes Car
A mom writes in asking if she should let her son drive again after he caused an accident in her car…

"My last post in 7/09 was when my 16-year-old had run to his dad's and was refusing any contact with me after a huge power struggle. We had "normal" problems but he has not pulled the "F*** you" and run out since then. (Thank goodness!) Last Sat he had a wreck on the freeway…"

Click here to see all forum conversations!

EP Podcast
Dr. Bob Myers: ADHD Kids And Lying

This month’s podcast: ADHD Kids And Lying

Do kids with ADHD or ADD use lying as a coping skill more often than their peers without it do? Dr. Bob Myers, creator of The Total Focus Program, tells you why and how ADHD kids use lying—and how to handle it as a parent. (Plus, find out why your tactics might be making the situation worse.)