An extract from Dr Anna Cohen’s new book Taming Teens.
If you’re concerned that your teen is involved in risky behaviour, it’s really important to remember their core goodness.
It is not uncommon for parents to punish their adolescent’s risk-taking by withdrawing signs of love due to their own distress and anger. But ‘bad behaviour’ is paradoxical: when your adolescent is scaring you, breaking your heart or infuriating you by putting themselves or others in danger – now more than ever, they need to feel your love and connection.