Are you struggling to get your teen to respect curfews? Worried that your teen doesn’t have enough boundaries? Then setting up a curfew contract for your teen might be the solution you need. Curfew contracts get rid of any ambiguity surrounding you’re the time that your teen is due home – it is plain and simple. The other advantage of setting up a curfew contract is that if your teen breaks their contract, then effective consequences will be implemented. Effective consequences are consequences that really speak to your teen and encourage compliance.
What is a Curfew Contract?
A curfew contract plainly outlines your teen’s curfews and it can be as specific or vague as you like. We suggest setting up a specific contract so that everything is clear and in the open. Many families find that their teen’s curfew varies depending on whether it’s a school day or a weekend night, as they allow their teen to enjoy a little more freedom on the weekends. It’s important that you take some time to negotiate your teen’s curfew with them. It might also be a good idea to talk to some of your teen’s closest friends’ parents to ask what kind of curfews their children have, so that you can establish something that works for your family but something that also is in line with your teen’s social life.
It’s important to involve your teen in the negotiation of the curfews, because they will be much more likely to respect the contract. Discuss with your teen the consequences that they will deal with if they break the contract, such as loss of cell phone use for a certain time, their curfew might be an hour earlier each time they come home late – for the next month, it’s just important you find something that is going to motivate your teen to comply.
Benefits of a Curfew Contract:
One of the main benefits of a curfew contract is the fact that it puts all of the rules out in the open and makes them very clear. If you have a teen you’ve probably dealt with them saying “but I thought I was allowed out until 12” even though the agreed time was definitely 10! Having a curfew contract means everything is written in pen and if all parties sign it, then there is no room for arguing – it is what it is. A curfew contract also allows your teen to take a little more responsibility for their actions, as now they are aware of the consequences that will occur if they break the contract – it benefits both parents and teens. Setting up a curfew contract doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you use the Home Contract tool.
Have you ever used a curfew contract? Did you find it helpful in your home?
Jade Robinson has more than 18 years of experience working with Teens and Adolescents. Using his experience, he has developed a system (called Home Contract) that allows parents to easily set up new boundaries and rules with their teens. It is an ideal and effective way to improve a particular habit by implementing a home based Behavior contract More details @ HomeContract.Org
