Maintaining Your Adult Authority with Teenage Grandchildren

If you’re caring for or are responsible for an older grandchild, you can’t simply walk (or carry) him to time-out or physically confine him to his room when you have to give a consequence for negative behavior. So, what can you do to help your teen understand that you are in charge when he is with you? The key is consistency. Let your teen grandchild know what your expectations are for his behavior and follow through on consequences to either reward good behavior or discipline bad behavior. Stick with it and you will be rewarded. Make sure that you establish yourself as the adult authority. Here are a few tips that can help:

• Create house rules. If necessary, include a curfew and require your grandchild to let you know where he is and who he is with when he goes out.
• Clearly communicate these house rules when everyone’s emotions are calm.
• Issue negative consequences for breaking house rules.
• Give additional chores for breaking house rules.
• Reward desirable behavior with praise and privileges.