Is It OK To Love Your Teenager With Conditions?

Jane’s teenage son is pulling away, getting secretive, dropping grades, and numbing out in his room on his computer. This common scenario typically provokes fear in parents leading to clutching, micromanaging, blame, and coming down harder with restrictions, and sending messages that love and acceptance is given when behavior and grades improve—exactly the opposite of what is needed. This is unintentional of course—but Ned’s behavior signals the intention he feels. Bonnie Harris, MS.Ed., dir...