Interesting how your teen will listen to some people, but not others. So why won’t he/she listen to you? Could it be that other influences in the life of your teen are doing a better job of answering the “motive” question? Rather sobering thought that I have had to contend with in raising kids. Not saying what others are doing or not doing is right or wrong, but the issue is – They are answering the motive question better – The “why do you do what you do?” question.
If you want to be heard and have an influence on your own teen, part of that (not all) depends on you and providing a good clear reason for your son or daughter doing what you say to do or considering what you want him/her to consider. This is a part of “teaching” we are responsible for as parents. Additionally, one way to “provoke our kids/teens to wrath” is to not provide a good motive for doing something. Take a look at Deut.6:4-9 and Ephesians 6:1-4 in the Bible. Do you provide your teen with good explanations regarding why you tell them to do or not do something? Do you teach them how you arrived at your decision? If not, this may be part of the problem.
