Answer:
It is important to remember that not all rebellion is bad. While it can certainly feel distressing, it is a natural process of your child’s maturation into a independent adult. Teens who continue to closely follow their parents rules and ideals may have greater difficulty in their adulthood then you realize. In order to grow into an independent adult, your child needs to learn how to depend on you less, take on more responsibility, make decisions and solve problems, form their own identity, and discover their own life values. Without rebellion, even a very mild form, your teen isn’t able to complete this process.
Rebellion is not inherently bad. It is viewed negatively by parents because their child is beginning to break away from the rules parents have outlined. While there are certainly dangers with more extreme forms of rebellion, the overall act does not reflect poorly on your child at all. Is it frustrating? Yes. But it doesn’t always mean your child is bad. Rebellion is a unique combination of hormones, developing biological processes, as well as emotional and mental independence.
