A mom writes in asking for advice about how to manage her 16-year-old son’s disrespectful attitude towards her partner. She says that though they have some good days, her teenager has generally been wildly disrespectful toward’s this mom’s partner of four years. She says it’s gotten so bad that her son “wants to physically fight with my partner.” What can she do?
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A member of the community asks:
“How do I handle my 16-year-old’s disrespectful attitude?
I have a 16-year-old acting out and being so disrespectful to my partner of 4 years now. Things are great sometimes, but some days are just terrible… So terrible my son wants to physically fight with my partner. Today he was just asked to rake some of the lawn and total disrespectful words came out of him like F off… f you… I don’t know what to do anymore.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Whose 16-Year-Old Son’s Disrespectful Behavior Towards Her Partner Is Out of Control
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“My 18 yr old does this. She gets so bad I’m on the verge of kicking her out. I told her she wants to be treated like an adult then she needs to change the way she treats others. We have good days and bad days. Been better this week. But still working on it and for a place for her to go. Best advice I can give is don’t back down and if necessary file a FINS (family in need of services) and it means he has to deal with the lawful figures. It does help.”
“Have you talked with him as to why he behaves this way and does he have consequences for his bad behavior? Don’t allow him to be disrespectful by ignoring it.”
“Start taking things away from him. Phone, TV, etc. When he can act appropriately, he can start earning them back. Either that or he needs to live somewhere else.”
“Strip his room down to nothing but a pillow and blanket, no cellphone, no computer except school-related, and he can earn everything back. Kids fail to realize that we as parents only need to provide food clothing and shelter all the extras are bonuses.”
“I grew up old school, he would’ve been backhanded and grounded. I understand he might not accept your partner as his other parental figure, but he is and deserves respect just like you do. Also, seek out counseling for him to find out what the problem is.”
“Stepfather needs to step back! You should correct your son.”
“You have to find out why he is starting to act out towards him. 16 years olds aren’t fun. But he should never become that disrespectful. Talk to him he’ll come back around.”
“When I was disrespectful to my guardians at that age, I was given job applications and a rent agreement. I shaped up after I read the agreement.”
“Have you tried turning him off and then back on again?”
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