Believe it or not, there is actually some healthy development going on when your teen argues with you! They are learning:
- to make their own decisions and handle disagreements
- independence in their thoughts and actions
- to gain a clearer sense of their own unique identity
- what is important and what they value
According to a Wall Street Journal post, there are three tips for parents to argue effectively with teens:
- Listen to your teen's point of view
- Negotiate, letting your teen pick from several options
- Compromise on things that are temporary vs. permanent
I would add in to help your kids learn how to collaborate, so that the two of you can come up with an even better option that makes both of you happy. To read the full article click here.