16 year olds and power struggles: Re: Power Struggles

» oh2b20 - Re: Power Struggles

In response your letter about your 16 year old daughter. I have one too and a 17 year old. My rules and yours are very similar, so I can safely say that I understand what your are going through. I am also in the medical profession and worry constantly about std's, aids, pregnancy etc. My 16 year old escalated to running away and we had her brought home by the sheriff. The weekend was misery with her "tantrums" (just remember they are really two but now are verbal}. We slowly took everything away from her and it ended up with her having only 5 sets of clothes in her room - all other items were gone - phone, stereo, car etc. She said it looked like a prison cell. We then signed her up for Operation Right Track run by the sheriff's office, it is basically a boot camp for 12 hours that challenges them to "grow up" and do the right thing - such as responsibility, reliability and accountability. It was a start and she says it was the most "intense" thing she ever had to do and "how could we do that to our child". I can only tell you what I learned - reinforce your rules, be firm, consistant and NEVER WAIVER. She is only entitled to food, a room and your love and protection from herself. I hope that I'll be able to tell you it was all worth it one day.

-- posted by oh2b20