For parents with teenagers, setting curfews can be tricky. Rabbi Shmuley talks about how curfews can help teach teens responsibility.
Teens should have curfews because they need discipline and supervision, Rabbi Shmuley says. They're at a point in life where they are experimenting and pushing boundaries, he says. Parents need to let teens know that their main focuses shouldn't be partying and socializing—they should be school and family.
When teens rebel again their curfews, parents should shouldn't give in, Rabbi Shmuley says. "Parents are so easily manipulated by kids on curfews," he says. "It's not just about your kids [hanging out] with the wrong people or parents staying up late worrying where their kids are. A curfew is about a teenager understanding that, yes, teens can go out and have fun, but there has to be discipline and responsibility."
Today's Shmuleyism:
“Life is nothing but a span of time. Teaching kids to respect and manage time is a central component to a good education. Therefore, a curfew, though a 'must' for reasons of discipline, is also essential because it teaches the child the importance of a responsible schedule."
