Parenting has evolved significantly since my children entered their tween years. One of the most notable changes has been how I approach discipline. The days of threatening to take away dessert as a consequence are long gone. My kids have mastered the art of sneaking treats while I’m preoccupied—whether I’m in the shower, scrolling through social media, or checking the mail. They’ve discovered all my hiding spots and can devour a slice of cake in record time. However, since they can’t drive yet, grounding them from the car isn’t an option either.
Navigating this tween stage has required me to adapt my parenting style, especially when it comes to keeping their sassy attitudes in check. It’s become essential to find new ways to ensure they truly hear me when I speak. The classic “or else” just doesn’t cut it anymore; they know that it often implies a vague threat rather than a definitive consequence. A recent interaction with my 12-year-old, where he challenged me on what “or else” actually meant, made it clear that I needed fresh strategies.
Here are a few creative discipline techniques that have proven effective:
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Mirror Their Style
Why do tweens insist on wearing their pants so low it seems like they’re in diapers? We worked hard to get them out of those! To get my son to pull up his pants, I decided to walk around in a similar fashion, so he could see how ridiculous it looked. One day, while grocery shopping, I dropped my pants low enough for him to notice—much to his horror. The store manager even had to intervene about my indecent exposure! Lesson learned, right? -
Utilize Music for Teaching Moments
With pop music dominating our household, I want to know what messages my kids are absorbing. I’ve found that listening to their favorite songs together provides a great opportunity to discuss the often misguided themes present in them. Instead of lecturing, I can point out issues in a way that resonates with them. If they brush off my concerns, I threaten to switch to “oldies” music from my college days—something they dread. When they engage, I let them keep listening to their tunes. -
Investigate Their Phones
Interrogating tweens about their daily lives is akin to pulling teeth! There was a time when they would share every detail, but now they seem to forget even the simplest things. However, when I start asking questions about their texts or social media posts, they suddenly open up. It’s amazing how quickly they spill the beans when I poke around their phones. -
Give Them Space
Instead of sneaking away to the bathroom with a snack when I need a break, I’ve learned it’s perfectly acceptable to ask my kids to give me some time alone. They recognize that when I reach this point, it’s because they’ve pushed me to my limits. This way, I can enjoy a moment of peace (and possibly a scrumptious treat) over the kitchen sink.
As our children grow, so must our parenting techniques. We love them fiercely, but the expression of that love evolves. While they may test boundaries more now than they did as little ones, we can manage this “attitude adjustment” with a bit of creativity. For additional insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our post on this topic and explore reputable options for at-home insemination kits from Make A Mom. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit WHO’s resources.
In summary, while parenting tweens comes with its challenges, employing innovative strategies can foster better communication and understanding.
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