How to handle a 15 year old

[cathy37]

What do you do with a 15 year old who thinks he is grown and does not listen to anyone?  He is tells adults what to do and what he is going to do.

[gaylasue]

Pray hard!!  I feel for you!  Been there and done that with my daughter.  I hated to wish time away but I couldn't wait until she grew out of the teen years.  She's turning 30 next month and she will be the first to tell you how much she regretted her actions during those years!

[sdenimandlace1]

Be firm with your rule do not change them.

[ladavia89]

It depends on why they're acting that way. Are they acting out because something going on or is it just an attitude problem? I think sometimes if they think they're grown they should have to experience what it's actually like to be an adult. They usually start to act better once they experience not getting everything done for them and even having to pay for things

[vickysue]

Man they are at a truly at an age  where no one knows anything and they know nothing.  My youngest son went into that stage and it was so hard. Once he skipped school and ended up in a car wreck with another teen who was driving.  I then found out from the schools it had not been the first time he skipped.  We fought like cats and dogs for a while.  He had to go to see a probation officer twice a week after school. Well he showed up  on the motorcycle with a friend and had a beer with his older friends first. Yep the P.O. put him in detention for over night. Well I left him as I could have picked him up but choose not too. Boy did he change his attitude.  He joined the R.O.T.C. at school and also went to work where I worked. Never had any more trouble.

[Tresbn00]

I have a sixteen year old that is testing the waters. We have slowly decreased access to what he needs-namely money. He works a part time job but doesn't get enough money to cover his need and wants. We fill up his tank on Sunday nights and he generally runs through that tank before the next Sunday comes. He asks for our debit card and we remind him that he has chosen to be more independent. When he wants to take his girlfriend out to eat he is given the reminder again. We have stopped making his school lunches for him and let him fend for himself. He wanted money for a concert last night and we said no. He apologized for being less than optimal and said that he has just been through a rough couple of weeks.

[natashaspy]

they're kind of hard to spank at that point.  perhaps take things away from him, all electronics, change wifi passwords.  start making them pay their own way for things, let them learn what being a real adult is like.  good luck1

[ancmetro]

      Sit down and have a serious talk with him. Maybe he is investing all his youth hormones in energy. In other words, his hormones are driving him out of control. Talk to him to try to figure out what his problem is. Then, proceed from there.

[oldbuddy]

they're kind of hard to spank at that point.  perhaps take things away from him, all electronics, change wifi passwords.  start making them pay their own way for things, let them learn what being a real adult is like.  good luck1

That is classic! My kids are all grown, but it will be fun sharing that idea where I can.

[Penwoir]

As far as kids go, I think I was a pretty easy teenager, but my parents were very strict and we knew their limits. Whenever I stepped out of line, there was a family meeting where our actions were discussed and repercussions were acknowledged. My parents were always together in the family meetings and they always backed each other up. If they ever had disagreements they did it quietly in the other room, out of ear shot. These days you have to know what your kids currency is. If there most prized possession is their computer, take it away, if it is time out with friends, ground them until they have learned a lesson. My kids are 9 and 11 and they already test the boundaries. It's what kids do.

[camellia0]

If the 15 year old is an 'adult', cut them off from some of the luxuries....video games, cell phones, nice clothes, etc. Let them get a job... that way they can see what adults go thru.

[kapeh12]

Reminds me of that episode of The Cosby Show where Theo thought he was an adult, and the parents took everything out of his room and gave him a "salary" - they made him pay for everything - rent for his room, food from the kitchen.  Was a funny episode, but drove the point home.

[dreamyxo]

Make him fully aware he is not in control in that house and you are still the boss.  Next time he leaves the house take the door off the hinges of his room. Take every single thing you bought for him out of his room.  Strip it down to the bare minimum.  Take away his phone, computer, games etc.  Take all his clothes and give him one pair or pants, one shirt one pair of shoes that will be his uniform for school.  Don't cook for him or do his laundry he either has to learn or you charge him to do those things.  Make him earn back his things and his privileges. Make him get a job and pay rent, pay his own food and utilities.  He wants to be grown that's what grown ups do.   

[Teejai]

Sometimes teenager's behave this way due to their friend's, with whom they are hanging out with, or how much freedom their own parents allow them to have or what or who they are communicating with on the computer. If they so much believe they are adult's, I would also strip them from all their video gaming's and their console's, remove their computer out of their room and their tablets, Do not allow them to use your computer if you have one of your own, even if they insist, they have homework to be done in the computer. They're teacher should comply and understand, they are grounded and the computer is off their limits no matter what. Have them pay rent, have them pay part of their usage of the electricity and water bill's. Have them and help them get a part time job, a job that contributes to working right after school, and on the weekends as well, after work, off to their room they go and do their homework. Do not pay for their cell phone service's even if this mean their cell phone will be shut off. Their friends are not allowed to come over to the house. Upon purchasing the groceries, have them pay part of the groceries. If they are still in school, make it your business to pick them up and drop them off to school yourself. When they come home from school, have them remain in their room till you say it's okay to come out of their room, set a sleep time hour. It may be hard for you to gasp at first, but you have to put that aside and think to your self, better have a child who is well behaved and  respectful then a having a rebellious child within the family, who might be hitting the streets, hanging around with the wrong crowd and dealing with drugs. Before you know it, your own kids will physically beat you down. I seen all this happen to 2 of my siblings and their kids. Best of luck to you and I wouldn't wish this not even to my worst enemy. If non of this helps, I suggest you to send them to a boot camp. It's totally up to you.

[linderlizzie]

1. Love him, let him know you're on his side. 

2. Give him the freedoms he earns and is responsible for and deny him any other freedoms until he's shown he can handle it. 

3. Pray, pray, pray.