Those are tough ages. They sometimes get very self centerd and forget whats important. I went throough a tough time with my middle Son JD when he was about 16-18. There were times I thought he hated me.
I realized the way he treated me at times was to manipulate me into getting his own way.
What I found helped was we use to have family meetings every so often.
They were able to express how they were feeling and what was on their mind as long as it was not an attack or blaming another person. We took turns and everyone got their turn. Then we discussed how we were going to change the sitaution for the better.
Sometimes it was things that I had no clue what was bothering them. It really bonded us all and helped the kids to grow closer.
My kids are all adults now and they are like best friends and they swear by those family meetings. If I found that there was tension in the house I would say ok tonight after dinner family meeting. We would sit in the living room and everyone took their turn and they had to at least say something they could not pass. It was the best thing I ever did.
So maybe this will help, but realize the first time you do it they might resist but just tell them this is important and you feel the need for unity in the family. Good Luck~Joyce
