How To Detach Christmas Presents From A Difficult Teen’s Bad Behavior?

teen

Over the years, parents have been alternately lauded and lambasted for using Christmas presents as a tool to ensure good behavior. Since the whole myth of Santa Claus backs up the “be nice or no presents” tactic, it can be tough for parents not to indulge in a few present-related consequences.

But when it comes to a troubled teen’s bad behavior, it can be even more difficult to give them Christmas presents, as many parents feel like they are rewarding their teens’ poor attitudes and actions. If you want to detach Christmas presents from your teen’s difficult behavior, Help Your Teen Now is here to help.

Consider Your Family’s Reasons For Celebrating

For your own peace of mind, it is important for you to start by considering why your family celebrates Christmas. Whether it is due to religious reasons or based on family traditions, it is likely that your family doesn’t celebrate Christmas because of presents.

Doing this can help you re-center on why you want to give your children—the well-behaved as well as the naughty—presents in the first place. It may also inspire you with ideas of how to make Christmas more focused on what your family values and less on material things.

Develop Non-Arbitrary Consequences For Bad Behavior

Part of why it is best not to use Christmas presents as a tool to encourage good behavior is that it is an arbitrary way to discipline children. Suddenly, everything from oversleeping to failing a test can lead to a loss of presents, which only teaches teens that if they have enough power, they can also act in an arbitrary fashion.

Instead, create non-arbitrary consequences for poor behavior. Oversleeping on a school day may mean your teen has to wake up early on the weekends to do chores and homework. A failing grade on a test may mean your teen has to report to you every night with their homework from that class or a signed note from the teacher that there was no homework that day. Further development of bad behavior (delinquency, risky sexual activity, substance abuse, etc.) may lead to sending your teen to a therapeutic boarding school to help them course-correct.

By establishing firm, non-arbitrary consequences, you won’t feel the need to take away Christmas presents as your teen will already have consequences you can apply.

If your teen is not responding to your efforts to help them course correct and you are interested in learning if a troubled teen program can help, contact us. As parent advocates, we can help you determine what your options are for helping your teen overcome their struggles and start making better choices.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

21 Jan, 2019

Recent Posts

How Military Camps Provide Structure for Troubled Teens

Encouraging our kids to stay focused has become one of the most challenging tasks in parenting. From social media to video games, it can be difficult to inspire our teenagers to study or focus on personal goals, especially if they are struggling with emotional...

Aftercare Programs for Troubled Teens: Ensuring Long-Term Success

The end goal of any troubled teen intervention, whether that be therapeutic boarding schools or a boot camp, should be the successful reintegration of the adolescent into society.  The road to recovery does not end as soon as the program does. Supporting troubled...

Understanding the Academic Aspect of Troubled Teen Boarding Schools

At a boarding school for troubled teens, for example, you won't find the traditional methods of learning used in the public school system.  Instead, you will encounter various academic offerings catered to your troubled teen's learning needs.  To help you understand...

The Role of Family Therapy in Troubled Teen Rehabilitation

Troubled teens need a supportive family structure to heal themselves and turn around their lives.  However, it can be challenging to create and foster that type of support structure without the proper tools. It becomes especially difficult when the troubled teen's...

Alternative Approaches: Wilderness Therapy for Troubled Teens

Also known as outdoor behavioral therapy, wilderness programs for teenagers are becoming increasingly popular. And it's not hard to see why. As a society, we are so far removed from nature, leaving us very little opportunity to utilize the full benefit of spending...

Transforming Troubled Teens: Success Stories from Boarding Schools

The decision to send your troubled teen to a therapeutic boarding school is one that causes many parents sleepless nights filled with worry and anxiety.  It's understandable. This is your child, and the idea of sending them away from your care is enough to cause...

Choosing the Right Boarding School: A Guide for Parents

When deciding on your child's education, parents often feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of choices on offer. For parents with a troubled teen, this is possibly even more difficult, especially when they've opted for a residential treatment center like a therapeutic...

How Troubled Teen Help Hotlines Can Make a Difference

For teens in emotional distress, the option to speak to someone who is neutral yet understanding can help them face another day. This is where teen help hotlines come in.  With 24/7 access to a professionally trained helpline operator, troubled teens can seek help...

What Sets Disciplinary Schools for Teens Apart?

Modern teenagers face many challenges their parents didn't have to consider while growing up.  This leaves parents and caregivers at a loss when trying to understand their teenagers and their daily problems. It gets even more complicated when you have a troubled teen...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *