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Parenting teenagers is hard. Heck, even teaching teenagers is extremely difficult. The mid- to late-teens are a very complex period.
Teenagers are not stupid. Their bodies are in overdrive. Their minds are in overdrive. They have tons of questions, most of which won’t get answered. They live in their heads.
It may seem like they don’t care, but they do. The question is: What do they care about? Probably all the wrong things, but it’s your job as a parent/ward/teacher to make them care about the right things.
No, telling your kid how much you spent on their education won’t make them care. Their understanding of money at that point is limited, and they definitely can’t properly fathom large sums.
My brief time as a teacher (I taught SS2 & 3) showed me that kids dont necessarily know the worth of $10,000. Telling a kid “I spent X on you” might make them pity you, but not much else.
I was on my way to failing WAEC, despite growing up with a super-strict father who would hand out ass-whooping at will. All the whoopings did was increase my pain tolerance or make me try for a month or two.
Everything changed when my dad sat me down and explained to me how failing that exam would fuck up my life. Not his...mine. He explained the importance of it. He never mentioned money. He didn’t raise his voice or a finger, but that day, I got it.
Yes, discipline is necessary. However, you, as the more experienced human, have to learn to communicate. Make them care. Show them why they should.
They’re not stupid or thick. They’re receptive. They’re listening. Do the hard work. Find how to reach them. You’ll be surprised what you find when you do.
