The task of achieving independence from parents
rare exception, adolescents develop a powerful drive to become indepen-to be in charge of their daily affairs and their future. As a result, bucking thechallenging authority, and resisting constraints imposed at home andare pretty much par for the course. Just as in the first adolescence of
the extent of willfulness and the lack of good judgment can at times be. :111ar. And while it may sometimes seem outrageous, some degree of strug-:zainst parental control is a normal and necessary part of growing up.
Your job in helping your adolescent complete this task is to release your grip. • _.trolled and reasonable manner. You still have the right and responsibility
house rules. But when you impose (and defend) them, you need to do
•-.:iv and respectfully. "Because I'm the Mom, that's why!" may have worked
ur two-year-old, but it will rarely he appropriate anymore.