Being there for your kids - Teenagers Will Rebel

Episode Date: December 11, 2018

       No, it's not a maybe, surely not a hope-they-won't. Teenage rebellion is a developmental imperative. In your child's young life, he goes from parents being the best thing since sliced bread, up to age 10. From ages 10-12, the jury's out. In adolescence, children forge their own direction, on their own, but with your help. Their rebellion is the source of their individual identity. It's what makes them different from you and who they are. So, help them with guidance and supervision, but let them be who they are becoming. Catch them when they fall, and give them as much freedom as they demonstrate responsibilty. Your reward is their becoming an independent, responsible, socially conscious young adult.

This is Teachable Moments. I'm Dr. John Robinson. You know, there is an upside of rebellion. In global politics, rebellion is a negative term. It connotes turmoil, injustice, anarchy. In a healthy family, there's an upside to rebellion. In Teachable Moments, building blocks of Christian parenting, I contend that teenagers must rebel. It's a prerequisite for developing an individual identity. The developmental stage required of teens to become responsible adults. Some types of rebellion have consequences than others. Teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol addiction, criminal behavior are all rebellious acts that can mar a teen for life. As Christian parents, sometimes the best we can do is love our kids through their bad choices. Most teenage rebellion, however, is a version of testing the

limits or testing their wings. In shepherding our teens through the stern and d'rong, that is, the storm and stress of adolescents, we can find teachable moments to share our wisdom, develop a system of accountability and oversight and to help them spread their wings responsibly. I'm Dr. John Robinson, licensed to clinical psychologist and Christian Parenting author, and this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting, is available online at Amazonbooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC-P-I-N-C.com.