More than 20 years ago, my husband and I were blessed to work in our church's teen ministry. We wanted to help spiritually guide their thoughts as they attempted to navigate this thing called life. Back then, the challenges they faced were unlike anything even I had dealt with. School pressure, peer pressure, even internal pressure brought a realm of circumstances somewhat … [Read more...]
I’m GONNA Lose It! How Do I Deal with My Newly Belligerent Teenage Son?
Dear Buckingham, I am writing to you because my relationship with my 14-year-old son is getting worse. Every since he turned 13 years old, we have been going at each other regularly. He thinks he knows everything and is starting to challenge me. He does not listen to me and acts like he is a little adult. I am trying my best to hold it together, but my frustration is really … [Read more...]
What is the Most Effective Parenting Method for Understanding My Teen?
Dear Dr. Buckingham, I desperately need some advice. My 14-year-old son is testing me badly by pushing all kinds of boundaries. We argue over whom he should hang around, where he should go and how he should dress. I punish him on a regular basis and tell him that he will comply with my rules as long as he is under my roof. I am responsible for him, and I want to make sure that … [Read more...]