Parenting teens is not for the faint of heart, and it is one reason why teens need curfews put in place. Studies have proven that curfews can keep teens out of trouble, however setting these curfews can be a struggle.
Curfews are an important part of raising teenagers. They help make sure your teen is safe while also teaching them responsibility, self-control, and time management skills.
A curfew establishes the time you expect your teen to be back home in the evening, whether it is from a party or shopping at the mall, it is a way to keep your teen safe as well as demonstrate respect for the family.
5 Reasons Why Teens Need Curfews:
1. Safety. Teen curfews ensure that teenagers are in the safety of their homes. Although your teen may be a responsible person, it could be the behavior of other people that can be the concern.
Driving home late at night has higher risks of drunk drivers on the road. A curfew is also a way for a teen to gracefully get out of an unsafe or unpleasant situation.
2. Teaches teen responsibility. A curfew helps your teen learn to be responsible about their time and the places they visit and prepares them to shoulder more responsibility as they grow. Following rules is an important part of the process into adulthood. Creating a safe environment to do this learning is a tough job.
3. Provides structure. Teen curfews provide teens with structure and reinforce positive habits in their lives. Most teenagers have plenty of commitments, including school and activities, such as sports and hobbies. Teens tend to be impulsive and can make hasty decisions that can send them in the wrong direction.
4.Teaches time management. Learning to manage their time is a big part of growing up. If you set their curfew to be home by 11 pm, they need to manage their time so that they leave from the venue in time to reach home. There will be times that you may have to make exceptions, that should be planned. Whether it is a working event or a concert, there might be times the curfew will be modified for that one evening.
5. Peace of mind. When parents and family are at ease, the home life is more content. A teen curfew not only protects your teens, but also offers the parents or guardians immense peace of mind. When your teenager is home at an appropriate time each evening, it helps you relax.
Experts agree, teens need curfews, but how can you set them and make them stick?
How to Set Teen Curfews:
1. Talk to your teen. Choose a reasonable curfew together. Before setting the curfew, you may want to consider:
- Is it a weekend?
- Is it a school night?
- What is the event?
- Who is attending?
- Who is driving?
- The time of the event?
2. Your state/city law. It is important to know and understand your community’s law. Does your town, city, or state have any laws that might affect your teen’s curfew? In some parts of the country, there are juvenile curfew laws that prohibit children below a certain age from spending time in public after certain hours.
3. Importance of sleep. Getting enough sleep is important for their mental and physical health, as well as their ability to excel in school and other activities. Setting a curfew helps them to get to bed at a reasonable hour. It should also include shutting down of their devices.
4. Communicate your expectations. Before your teen leaves the house, be sure they clearly understand the curfew you have set in place. They should know their curfew, what they need to do if they are running late, and the consequences they will face if they break their curfew.
5. Set consequences. If your teen breaks a curfew, it is important you set and follow through with the consequences you have outlined. There will also be times when your teen may break curfew for reasons beyond their control. For example, poor weather conditions might make it dangerous for them to drive. Or maybe their designated driver has gotten drunk, and they need to call a cab. These are times to be flexible.
Conclusion:
Curfews are about safety, self control, time management and feeling fresh for the next day. Set clear expectations and consequences and stick to them, but be flexible if s/he demonstrates responsibility.
Do you have a teenager that is constantly breaking curfew, sneaking out, running away? Have they stopped going to school or doing drugs? Since 2020 teen depression and anxiety has doubled. Teenage mental health is a crisis today, contact us for a free consultation if you have exhausted your local resources and searching for schools for troubled teens.
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