Hello!

How to teach a teenage boy responsibility & consequence – I just wanted to ask for some advice for a friend. She is a single mum and has a boy first year of high school. She asked me for advice but I’m just not sure what to say. Her son does not listen (as most teenagers these days) and she gets constant phone calls from all the teachers saying how he talks all the time has no interest in anything to do with school. He is not organised at all, most of the time does not even have a pen! She has to tell him over 50 times just to get out the bed in the mornings and once he has finally done that to get him ready is a nightmare! Doing this day in, day out is driving her crazy. She has tried talking to him, yelling and taking away his games or anything he likes. He does not change. So basically has anyone else gone through this? What advice can I give her? Will he ever change? How can she deal with this? Please help! Thank you

Posted by anon, 02/11/13

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  • Teenage year can be tough, changing hormones, developing identity emotional needs. When all she does is chasing him and he refuses to listen than it becomes a very negative spiral and clouds your relationship. Instead I would try to motivate him with positive attention. I might be good for her to seek professional help to support her and her son.


  • That is a hard task. It sound like his is not motivated at all. One needs to find something he really enjoys which will get him moving and motivated. It might also be an idea to have a chat with his teachers to see whats going on at school- there could be an underlying problem. Good luck.


  • Most schools have a counsellor, maybe they could assist with appropriate advice. They must be experts regarding this type of thing.


  • there are some good comments here


  • What advice did you end up giving?


  • I’m still trying to teach this with my 12,14 & 16 year olds!


  • I hope you have success


  • You could try treating him like a little baby if that is how he is acting. Sometimes can work when they see how childish they are being.


  • Boys do go thru phrases, can you get him interested in some type of sport, it is a great motivator. Most clubs will let you train for some nights before committing to it. Find out what interests him.


  • I hope you find some answers


  • some good answers here. I agree with trying to find something he actually enjoys and do it with him then he may feel more happy with how his life is. This is a normal time for teenagers to rebel and be moody. Hope your friend has some success with her son.


  • Often finding something he really enjoys doing and letting him spend more time doing that can help. Im glad I have girls in a ay. Boys confuse me.


  • hope she works it out.


  • change the routine up a little, try and have some fun with him. hopefully this stage will pass.


  • My little brother was like this also. Unfortunately all she can do is try and be there for him. He may need to be nurtured emotionally.


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