A Parent’s Bill of Rights

Parenting a teenager is a difficult job. During the teen years, kids who were once so sweet begin to defy authority and challenge their parents. The struggles of adolescence can weigh heavily on the shoulders of parents and teenagers alike.

Finding the Path: A Novel for Parents of Teenagers, a novel by Jeffrey P. Kaplan, Ph.D., and Abby Lederman, M.Ed., offers an inspirational story to guide parents through these difficult years.

“Being drawn into crisis by the anti-social, destructive behaviours of a teenage child is the greatest fear of most parents of pre-adolescent children today,” says Lederman.

Instead of worrying about the future of your parent-child relationship, Kaplan and Lederman suggest using a “love-based parenting model.”

A Parent’s Bill of Rights
I have the right to be treated with respect.

I have the right to make the time necessary to think through a decision or consequence with regards to my teen.

I have the right to make mistakes.

I have the right to make decisions  for my teen that I believe are in his or her best interest.

I have the right to talk about my teen  with other adults who may be able to help with his or her behaviour and emotional and physical health.

I have the right to set and enforce rules  to ensure the safety of my teen.

I have the right to restrict my teen from spending time with adults and others whom I believe to be negative influences.

I have the right to discipline my teen in ways that promote healthy behaviour without compromising emotional well-being. 

I have the right to expect my teen to contribute to the general upkeep of the house in order to keep our home a pleasant environment in which to live.

I have the right to talk with the parents of my teen’s friends and know my teen’s whereabouts when he or she is away from home.

I have the right to privacy.

A love-based parenting model values mutual respect between parent and teen, seizes difficult situations as opportunities for growth and focuses on the positive rather than the negative.

If you are tackling the tough job of parenting a teenager, remember that your rights within the relationship are important, too. Here are some guidelines for what to require from your teen.

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