Sometimes a healthy pursuit can have unhealthy manifestations. Like trying to belong and fit in.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens.

When your teen seeks personal validation from peers… this isn’t inherently bad. It may look like rebellion to you. It may lead to inappropriate behaviors. And some strange choices in clothing and music at times. But in reality, your teen is just a little off track.

So …how do you steer a kid that’s headed in the wrong direction?

Well, let your child’s choices teach him the truth. If he looks like a dork, he sounds like an idiot, he acts like a jerk… eventually… he can’t continue in that direction without facing deeper trouble.

Let him face those consequences without rescuing him. That’ll do more to change his future behavior than anything you can ever say. Failure is an irreplaceable education for living in the real world!