Weathering the storm of kids’ rebellious behaviour

Jummai Ahmed, principal of an Abuja-based school, said while teenagers can blatantly disrespect their parents by outwardly behaving in an unacceptable way or by passively ignoring the standards of acceptable behaviour that their parents have set for them, it is a normal stage of development. In today’s world, parents are too busy working and trying […]

Jummai Ahmed, principal of an Abuja-based school, said while teenagers can blatantly disrespect their parents by outwardly behaving in an unacceptable way or by passively ignoring the standards of acceptable behaviour that their parents have set for them, it is a normal stage of development.

In today’s world, parents are too busy working and trying to make provisions for the household that they forget to pay attention to the needs of their teenagers. Parents should not forget that these teenagers are also humans and as well young adults. And without the right guidance, they can turn out to be something else in the future. Last week Weekly Trust published a story on how youths were turning to drugs in the society. Kids who do not have parental guidance can fall prey.

Since there is the tendency for teenagers to rebel, you could allow them to rebel in areas that you can handle, not in areas that would prove to be very difficult. When you have your teenager rebelling against the rule against drugs, bad friends, disrespect, etc., then you have to sit up and do an all-round assessment.

Sameerah Tukur, 34, and a housewife in Kano, recalled the adage that says ‘show me your friends and I will tell you who you are’. “The kind of friends your kids keep goes a long way in telling the kind of individuals they will be in future,” she said, adding that your teen needs to learn how to make good decisions, and sometimes that can mean learning from the natural consequences that stem from rebellion.

Abuja-based Physical Education expert Maxwell Umanah said, to that effect, when a kid tries to prove too stubborn, do not be disturbed. “Put your foot down while allowing room for growth. If you’re solid and steadfast, chances are your teen will be, too, and grow into a well-rounded young adult,” he said.