When one father called me about his son, I could feel his desperation over the phone. He told me that nothing worked any more. He and his wife had done everything to protect and provide for their son, but now he was spinning out of control.

This dad is conscientious and compassionate. But as we talked, I discovered these well-meaning parents were using the same restrictions on their seventeen-year-old that they employed when he was ten! The teenager, longing for independence, pushed back against the outdated rules.

Well, the family had a lot to work through. But once mom and dad learned to update how they related to their son, and once he learned to express himself better, the family began to heal.

Mom, dad, need to update some of your approaches, too? Start now.

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