How Do I Deal with My Rebellious TeenНамуна

Teens Learn What They Live

What do you do if you have exasperated your teen already?

1. You repent. You go to God. You have to see this for what it is. It is sin. It’s not, “Well, I’ve been busy. I know I can do things better.” It is sin. So, you repent. To repent means to have a change of heart and mind, that results in a change of course. 
2. We confess, not only to God but to one another. When it is my turn, I go to my children and I say, “I ask for your forgiveness. I didn’t handle that right. My attitude wasn’t right. Please forgive me.” 
3. We must forgive. Without forgiveness, there is no hope for any of our relationships. We all do things that we shouldn’t do; we all have to forgive each other. We do not have to wait for someone to confess to us, in order to forgive. 
4. We pursue. We start fresh. Wipe the slate clean. “God, I begin here. I turn my heart to you. I begin fresh with you and my relationship with my teenager.” Well, what if my teenager is not ready? It is an individual responsibility. You pursue. 
5. We learn. You walk in the truth as the Lord teaches you. There is progressive illumination going on. I know more today than I knew ten years ago.
6. We persevere. What if you do all these 6 things, and then he still has the same attitude or worse? You persevere. God didn’t call you to just try to teach your children. He called you to obey His Word, and this command doesn’t expire next week or next month. 

There is a poem written by Dorothy Law Nolte that explains how teenagers and all children learn.

"Children Learn What They Live"

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to feel shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

If you’d like to know more about the subject please follow the links https://vimeo.com/252738471/aa568bf29b or https://youtu.be/rHRi_usAnto