5 Phrases You Need to Know When Your Teen Is Looking for an Arguement

Let's face it - sometimes our teenagers just seem to be looking for an arguement.  It is almost as if they WANT to make us mad.  It seems as if they take great joy in make the steam escape from our ears. And I think that we all know that teenagers have a way of taking anything we say and turning it into a reason to get mad or insulted. Well, you don't have to let them get to you if you use these 5 phrases.

Here are the 5 phrases:

• "Yes"
• "No"
• "Wow"
• "Oh, really?"
• "Whatever"

Almost any question or statement can be responded to with one of these statements.  The beauty of it is that when they see that they aren't going to pull you into an argument they will eventually stop.

Here's a potential situation:

"Mom, can I go to Billy's party on Friday night?"

"No."

"But all the other kids are going!"

"Oh, really?"

"So, I can go then?"

"No."

"But I won't be late."

"Whatever."

"Then I can go?"

"No."

"I hate this place.  I'm going whether you say I can or not!"

"Whatever."

Do you see how this is going?  You've given him your answer.  You've told him he can't go.  He knows if he goes he'll have to suffer the consequences.

By not allowing yourself to fall into arguement mode you can get your point across and they'll quit baiting you eventually.
 

If you liked this article you might also like Don't Be an Enabler for Your Teenager.

published 2 years ago

DMcGaw

731 points