How to Handle Teen Manipulation

How do I handle my manipulative teenager? Dealing with teen manipulation can be challenging — whether it’s concerning a parent and their child or a teenager with their therapist. It’s frustrating and can be extremely draining.

Teenage manipulation is also a form of bullying. Parenting teens is challenging today, handling with a manipulative teenager adds a level of difficulty and stress to everyone involved.

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Not only are young people capable of bullying their friends, but many teens also bully their parents. Teen manipulation can make you feel helpless and insecure about your parenting.

To keep everyone emotionally healthy, it is crucial to identify this behavior and handle it before it impacts your parenting and family.

5 Ways Your Teen Manipulates You

1. Emotional Blackmail. Teenagers often need and want things from their parents, and they may use your feelings to control your behavior. For example, a teenager may emotionally blackmail you by acting sad or withholding affection until they get their way.

2.  Anger and explosive behavior. They may throw things, get into a heated argument with you, or scream – hoping this will change your mind. The behavior is like throwing a tantrum on a bigger scale. Teen aggression is common when teens do not get their own way.

3.  The guilt-trip. When your teen says things to you like “you love my sister more than you love me,” they usually don’t mean it. Teens use guilt-tripping  to manipulate you. In extreme cases, they will threaten to commit suicide if they don’t have their way.

 4.  Planned out lying. Teens can manipulate your through lies. They will promise to do something you want them to do if you allow them to do what they want. For example, if you allow them to go to the mall for extra time, they will promise to do extra chores. When you allow them, they forget their promise.

5. Broken record. There is nothing like breaking a parent down when your teen uses repetition to wear you down and make you give in. To break this habit, stand firm in your decision. Be prepared, come up with a reply and repeat it every time the situation demands it.

3 Ways to Handle Teen Manipulation

No one enjoys dealing with teen manipulation. If you’re a parent going through this, you’re probably feeling angry, sad, confused, or even betrayed. It is always helpful to talk to your spouse, partner, friend or even a therapist to sort out your feelings in addressing these behaviors in your teen.

It can be tricky to crack down on your teen’s manipulative behavior because you want them to be happy. Nevertheless, sometimes it is crucial to put your foot down and lay the rules down. Here are some that could be useful:

1. Set Boundaries

Like with smartphone contracts, young people want boundaries. It is important to be clear and concise on your house rules (boundaries) and what your expectations are, as well as what their consequences will be.

It’s common for teens to test boundaries to see where there’s room to expand or break them. Intervening immediately is often the most effective approach:

  • Communicate the boundaries again.
  • Discuss the wrongdoing or disrespectful behaviors.
  • Enforce the consequences.

Clear communication is often beneficial in setting rules, as well as respecting your teen’s personal boundaries.

2. Consistence Consequences

If your teen is constantly manipulating you or lying to you, they need to know it is not acceptable and won’t be tolerated. It is important to be calm, but firm and clear with communication about their behavior and the consequences. It is always helpful to talk to your spouse, partner, friend or even a therapist to sort out your feelings in addressing these behaviors in your teen.

Not enforcing the consequences you have laid out may encourage manipulative behavior, so it is important to consistently follow through. Not addressing manipulative behavior in teens can encourage a pattern that may impact their future adult relationships.

3. Parent and Teen Relationship

Manipulative behavior is not usually something (most) teenagers intentionally engage in. They use it because (at that moment) they feel it is the only way to get their needs met.

If you begin to create a positive, healthy relationship with your teenager — they will be able to speak more freely about their needs and feelings. It is likely you will see an improvement in their behavior.

Actions speak louder than words are also true in strengthening relationships with your teenager. Here are some ways you can start building your bond:

  • Make time to have coffee or lunch together
  • Check in with each other regularly
  • Be respectful of boundaries and of each other
  • Find volunteer work together
  • Cook meals together

Working on positive reinforcement and a healthy relationship is much easier and more effective than punishing negative behavior.

Also read:

Goals of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Work When Home Therapy Fails

Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues

Help Your Teens With

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