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Identifying and understanding rebellious behaviors exhibited by teenagers
Story by Jamila Yunusa Suleiman
Teenagers are sweet beings with a tray full of multiple activities that keep them busy while developing. With their inquisitive nature, teenagers explore the environment around them. In the course of exploration, a teenager is likely to amaze you with their creativity or overwhelm you with their innocent mess.
Nevertheless, their company is addictive in nature creating a vacuum while absent. As interesting as it is to have them around, there are higher possibilities of being worn out at the end of a day dealing with a highly explorative teenager.
It is only natural that a teenager undergoes behavioral changes as they grow. Some of these behavioral changes are likely to amaze you, tickle your fancy, amuse you, or ignite the wrong nerves.
However, when these behavioral changes set in, one needs to double up his parenting pace. At times, some of the behavioral changes are appeasing while some are tough to handle.
Some teenagers while growing up, tend to gradually change from that cute little child into a person trying all means to tell people around them ‘ I am a grown-up’, not minding the consequences of the decision they take to express themselves.
In the process, some begin to exhibit rebellious behaviors. Some of these rebellious acts include, intentionally disobeying rules, talking back at elders, constant rage, putting their opinion above others (not minding the consequences of an action), constant tantrums, neglecting assignments, taking risks, etc.
Like they say, there is no fire without smoke. Mostly, rebellious behavior displayed by a teenager could be due to seeking attention, expressing fear, asserting independence, lack of joy or satisfaction, peer influence, or poor communication from both the child and the parent.
Irrespective of the rebellious behavior a child displays, there are several ways such situations could be handled. Some of them are;
1. Do not overreact: it is almost impossible to hold back your frustrations when your child exhibits acts of rebellion, but it is important you hold back your irritation and handle the situation calmly.
2. Communicate with your child: communication plays a vital role in any relationship, and a parent-child relationship is not out of it. It is important you talk to your child so that you both can be on the same page of understanding.
3. Be a good listener: Being a good listener is likely to solve the situation to some extent. Listening not just to words they utter but listening to the messages conveyed through their actions. Sometimes, listening is what we to understand the rebellion.
4. Make friends with your child: Develop a healthy and comfortable relationship with your child, understanding the age and what their interests are for that particular age. This makes communication easier for both parent and child.
5. Create leisure time: To strengthen the bond between a parent and a child, it is important to create leisure time with the child. This helps to get to know them better and make them feel loved.
6. Good deeds should be rewarded: Rewarding a good deed is a way of encouraging the child to continue on the path of proper conduct. Give a positive response to the good they do, as simple as a thumbs up is, it could mean a whole lot to them.
7. Be consistent: Miracles do happen, but with rebellious acts from a child, one needs lots of patience and consistency to get the desired result.
READ ALSO: Overcoming Insecurity: Do you ever feel like you are not good enough?, by Musa Sakinat Abubakar
However, we must bear in mind that every child is unique, that being so, have a different response or reaction to their social environment.
Parenting is not done in any day, it is a lifetime job where we don’t stop until we get the best and retain the best. Most importantly, communication is key to any healthy relationship, and as such must be properly utilized.
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