Reply #6: Survivor PARENT of a teenager (Son now 27 yo)

[Whoa_Nelly]

Learned along the way that when asking for something to be done in return for providing a favor to the teen, ALWAYS add that it be done promptly and without bitching, or all deals are off.

He was also frequently told that the parent/child relationship is NOT a democracy. As the parent, I rule..case closed.

on edit: That's not to say that things can't be discussed and concessions made at times. However, I learned that there are some things that if not enforced once, it becomes almost impossible to enforce ever again.

Surprising how motivated or not son was in complying in regard to how badly he wanted the favor and/or item.