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Please answer the following questions:
Is your cell phone bill out of this world?
Are boxes of cereal gone within a matter of hours at your house?
Does a member of your family have a flair for theatrics (i.e. incredibly dramatic and/or moody)?
Are you awake till the wee morning hours, restlessly listening for the front door to open?

If you could answer affirmatively to all these questions, it is likely you have what is called, “I am raising a teenager and I am going mad” syndrome. Never heard of that diagnosis? If you have kids, just wait – it will soon sound familiar.

Before you go check yourself into the local psych ward, here are a few tips to help you regain your sanity.

1) Praise is powerful: Have you ever been nagged or told what you are doing wrong constantly? It is not fun nor is it generally very effective in changing negative behavior. It just causes resentment. So, if the nagging is not working (and I guarantee it rarely will) try something different like PRAISE. You may be saying, “But my kid is Satan incarnate. He doesn’t ever do anything worth praising!” You are wrong. We see what we choose to see. View him through your “praise lens” and you will be astonished at what you have been missing. If you really want to see positive change, try four positives to one negative statement. This takes a watchful eye and often some creativity, but I promise you will see a vast improvement in your teen’s attitude and behavior if you will do this.

2) For heaven sakes, JUST LISTEN: So often we are so harried with life, in such a hurry to solve problems, or so bent on our own agenda that we rarely listen. If your teenager knows you will just dismiss her concern, criticize her, or suggest a quick fix, she will eventually shut down all communication lines. Even if you disagree with what she is saying, try listening without interruption. Chances are, even if you have a bad track record, your teen will begin to open up to you. Then, and only then, will they want to hear what you have to say.

3) Set boundaries and extend consequences when needed: Believe it or not, teens want rules. They want boundaries. (But of course, don’t expect them to ever tell you that.) Clear and communicated boundaries will help your teen feel loved and secure. Your teen needs a curfew. They need responsibilities around the house. They need someone to tell them about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and pornography. When they cross the line, there has to be a consequence. Conversely, if they do something right, there needs to be a positive consequence. That is how we learn, after all. Just a note: If you say you will do something, you MUST do it. Otherwise, you have just burned an important bridge of trust that is hard to rebuild.

Give these a shot. Even the smallest effort will bring great dividends. I promise.

P.S. These tips may also apply to spouses, young children, co-workers, and in-laws.