Law of Belonging - One of the greatest needs of teenagers (after music, screen time and the phone) is a strong sense of belonging. They need to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. And guess what? If they do not get this need met in a healthy place, they will begin to look for ways to get this need met anywhere else they can find it.

Law of Power - Once youve entered into a power struggle with a teenager, youve already lost. It's like the closing line "War Games", "Interesting game, the only winning move is not to play".

Law of Control - Trying to control a teenager is like trying to put pants on a gorilla. It's just going to frustrate you and really irritate the gorilla. Not a great way to live day to day.

Law of Management - A management approach puts the parents clearly in charge. The goal is to eventually manage them out of your lives, and into their own.

Law of Voice - In a well functioning family, the teens almost always get a voice. They just don't always get a vote. Consistently violate either side of this equation and you've got trouble.

Punishment is often done out of anger and is usually for the parent.

Punishment breeds resentment and a desire for revenge.

Teens have many creative ways to get you back.

Law of Consequences - Consequences teach teens about the real world. In general they need to be related, reasonable, respectful, swift, strong and short-term.

Law of Structure - Parents need to set boundaries & structure from day one. If you don't do it while they are young, what makes you think they will obey curfew when they have a car?

Law of W's - When teens are gone from home, parents need to know who they are with, where they are going, what they will be doing and what time they will be back.

Law of 20 Feet - The law of 20 feet states that at a certain age, you must walk at least 20 feet away from your teen if you are in a public place. Thirty feet if you're in the mall.