Focus on the Behavior, Not the Argument

A parent's job is to teach, guide, direct, and protect their children. At times, this job

description may require different actions on a parent's part when it comes to addressing the needs of their child. For example, if a child is staying out past curfew that would be a directing moment(when to come home and what consequences will be if late) more than a teaching moment(explaining the dangers and problems of staying out late). Furthermore, the longer the discussion goes on about the why it is important to obey curfew, the longer the child will feel this expectation is negotiable. Children do not have to agree with a rule, just understand the need to follow it. The longer you get caught up in the argument, the less effective you will be in addressing the behavior.