Do...
- Reward appropriate behavior.
- Model behaviors you'd like to see.
- Ask how your teen's day was and how she/he is feeling.
- Give undivided attention when needed.
- Compliment your teen's appearance when she/he makes an effort to look nice.
- Be consistent. Set age appropriate rules and stick by them.
- Allow your teen to make appropriate decisions.
Don't....
- Criticize every little thing your child does wrong.
- Say one thing and do another.
- Ignore your teen's moods or judge how she/he ought to feel.
- Busy yourself with other tasks when your teen asks to talk.
- Focus on things a teen cannot help: pimples, changing bodies, squeaky voice.
- Change the rules without notice or give in whenever your teen becomes angry or withdrawn.
- Always say no. Avoid making all their decisions for them.
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