Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “It has to get worse before it gets better.” Well parents, the same thing applies to raising teens!

Once I met with the parents of a girl named Angel. Despite her name, she was anything but angelic. Whenever her parents tried to talk to her, she’d pop in her earbuds, or start hurling verbal abuses.

Mom and Dad knew things needed to change—but they knew it was not going to be easy. When they first told Angel about their new expectations for her behavior, she tore their letter in half and stomped on it! But over the course of some difficult months, Angel slowly started to improve.

Sometimes, when disrespect is deep-rooted, things have to get worse before they get better. But stand firm, and don’t give up hope! Because one day, it will get better.

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