More on teens: Not terrible

I subscribe to Scott Noelle's Daily Groove mailing list. I want to share this bit of wisdom that arrived in my Inbox today, a timely reminder for a mother whose daughter was home for half a day before she went off on her next adventure.

:: Terrible Two's & Rebellious Teens... NOT! ::

(Continued from yesterday -- full text at
http://dailygroove.net/terrible-not)

Developmentally, toddlers and teens have one thing in common: they're on the verge of a quantum leap in personal autonomy. They're on a mission to become *themselves* -- to get in touch with their Inner Power more than ever before.

Anytime they feel imposed upon or coerced, that mission is blocked, and they instinctively protest. In nature-based, pleasure-oriented, partnership cultures, such protests are rarely triggered, so terrible two's and teen rebellions rarely occur.

But in our anti-nature, control-oriented culture, parents are expected
(if not required *by law*) to oppose or control children's natural developmental impulses toward personal empowerment, which guarantees the terribles!

The shift from terrible to terrific begins with your commitment to creative partnership. Then, whenever your child exhibits "terrible" behavior, you can re-interpret it as evidence of his or her unfolding autonomy, and ask yourself this:

"How can I use my creativity
to support my child's growth
in a way that works for ALL of us?"

http://dailygroove.net/terrible-not

Copyright (c) 2007 by Scott Noelle
Used With Permission