- Ignore Their Interests: Show a distinct lack of curiosity about their life. Avoid asking about their friends or how their day went. Keep conversations superficial, ensuring they only get one-word replies or grunts.
- Disregard Boundaries: Allow complete chaos by avoiding any form of structure. Forget about setting even the smallest rules, such as bedtime or limits on sleepovers. Who needs to promote a sense of responsibility when you can let them have complete freedom?
- Deny Imagination Time: Never encourage your teen to engage in non-electronic activities for even an hour each day. Avoid suggesting they use their imagination or, heaven forbid, read a book. Let the constant access to screens be their only source of entertainment, even if it leads to a panic about losing their devices.
- Overlook Chores: Never assign them any responsibilities around the house. Allow them to live in a mess and avoid teaching them how to handle their own laundry or dishes. After all, why would you want them to learn valuable life skills before heading off to college?
- Dissuade Family Time: Make it a point to avoid any family activities. Family Game Night? A complete bore. Do everything in your power to keep your teen from interacting with the family, especially during meals or shared activities.
- Avoid Tough Conversations: Steer clear of discussing important topics like relationships, substance use, or personal beliefs. Let them navigate these complicated issues without your guidance, ensuring they feel entirely unsupported.
- Stay Absent: Make sure you’re not present at important events in their life. If you do show up, hide away in your vehicle to avoid any meaningful interaction. This will surely leave them feeling abandoned and confused.
- Refrain from Offering Help: If they ask for assistance, remind them that you have no clue what they’re going through. Make it clear that your own experiences are irrelevant, which will help them feel isolated in their struggles.
For further insights into navigating parenthood, you can check out this other blog post.
In summary, being a poor parent to your teen involves a lack of communication, structure, and support. Fostering an environment devoid of guidance and responsibility can lead to a strained parent-teen relationship.