| For you fathers of defiant adolescents, you are | | | | continue the battle and move forward even when |
| very, very important. I don't believe you | | | | faced with circumstances that seem impossible. |
| understand how important are. Far more than | | | | Your responses and interactions with others teach |
| simply throwing a baseball, or letting your | | | | a lot to your teen about how to treat people. So |
| daughter know that she's precious, your | | | | Dads, fathers, step-fathers, how are you treating |
| relationships with your defiant adolescent is just | | | | people around you, especially while your defiant |
| as important as life or death. Your relationship | | | | adolescent is watching you? Maybe that is why |
| with your teen can really save their life, and then | | | | your teen is so defiant. I know you don't want to |
| again, your lack of a relationship with your teen | | | | hear it, but maybe they're defiant because you're |
| can really hurt their life. Your presence or lack of | | | | defiant. Remember, your teen is watching every |
| it speaks a lot to your teen. | | | | move you make because your teen wants to |
| Do you ever find yourself in between the struggle | | | | grow into a man just like you. They will imitate |
| of being a father or being a pal or buddy to your | | | | your every move in an effort to be a man. |
| son? I do. The hard truth is that you are called to | | | | One important position you must take is to simply |
| be a father, not a friend. A natural friendship is | | | | be there. By being there, I'm implying that many |
| born as your son grows older, but for now, | | | | times a father is there physically watching TV or |
| father him. There is so much time to hang out | | | | something, but they aren't there emotionally to |
| and have fun with your son, but there is also | | | | interact with his teen. A teen needs that |
| plenty of time to continue to lead him and guide | | | | interaction! The conversation, the emotion, the |
| him throughout his life. | | | | hard times and the good all contribute to your |
| There is one important connection between all | | | | teens growth and adolescence. |
| males, even if they don't express it. It is this: | | | | A lot of the time, I write things that some |
| Sons desire to hear and know that they are | | | | parents don't want to hear. If you're offended, I |
| growing into strong, young men. As they grow, | | | | encourage you to find out why. What did I write |
| they need to know that they have what it takes | | | | that offended you? Just maybe, there's |
| to take on this world. Guess who implants that | | | | something that offended you because you know |
| seed of knowledge for them? Guess who the | | | | that something is wrong, and you need to fix it. |
| most important external factor here is? It's you..., | | | | I want you to know how thankful I truly am that |
| the father. | | | | you are fathering. To father a defiant adolescent |
| In closing, let's talk about the most important thing | | | | is a daunting task, and to pursue a relationship |
| you can do as a father of a defiant adolescent. | | | | with one is even harder. But, I know you are |
| Every single teen is met with hard times during | | | | doing a great job and that you will continue to do |
| their development. Parents must choose to | | | | so. Thank you for all you do. |