Is it OK to give your teenager the silent treatment?

The silent treatment can be a viable form of discipline if it’s done with intention and in the service of behavior modification and self-preservation. And, yes, that assertion can feel at odds with parenting styles that place an emphasis on hovering or yelling to keep kids in line.

What to do when your teenager doesn’t want to talk to you?

How to Talk to a Teenager Who Doesn’t Want to Talk

1. Let Them Be the Smartest Person in the Room for a Change.
2. Limit the Lectures.
3. Pick Your Battles.
4. Ask Open-Ended Questions.
5. Respect Their Need for Privacy.
6. Go For a Drive.
7. Throw Some Fun into the Mix.
8. Treat Them Like an Adult.

What happens when you give your child the silent treatment?

During a period of silent treatment, a child will escalate their behaviour in some way. As they get older, he or she may also withdraw or do “desperate” things for attention, Ms James says.

Is the silent treatment a form of emotional abuse?

Communication: A person may use the silent treatment if they do not know how to express their feelings but want their partner to know that they are upset. Punishment: If a person uses silence to punish someone or to exert control or power over them, this is a form of emotional abuse.

What do you do when your teenage daughter shuts you out?

8 Steps to Turn the “Tune-out” into a “Tune-in”

• Remove distractions: When you really want to talk with your child, stop all distractions and outside stimuli.
• Be clear and keep your tone neutral.
• Don’t use words that shut down the conversation.
• Set the stage for a more open discussion.
• Don’t expect a long conversation.

What do you do when your teenager gives you the silent treatment?

How silent is the silent treatment?

1. Don’t lecture her or tell her how hurt you feel.
2. Try to have positive interactions with her.
3. Engage her in activities you’ve enjoyed doing together.
4. Sit down to meals with her.
5. Don’t pump her for information.

What to do if your parents are giving you the silent treatment?

Calmly tell the person that you’ve noticed they’re not responding and you want to understand why. Emphasize that you want to resolve things. While it’s not your fault that someone else decides to give you the silent treatment, you do have a responsibility to apologize if you’ve done something wrong.

What kind of person gives the silent treatment?

Research. Researchers have found that the silent treatment is used by both men and women to terminate a partner’s behaviors or words rather than to elicit them. 1 In abusive relationships, the silent treatment is used to manipulate the other person and to establish power over them.

What do you do when your child gives you the silent treatment?

Don’t give your child’s silent treatment any power. Give your child a clear message when he gives you the silent treatment. You should say: “Not responding to me is not going to solve your problem. When you’re ready to talk about it, I’ll be here.”

Is Your Child’s Silent Treatment destructive in relationships?

Indeed, this type of passive-aggressive behavior is very destructive in relationships later in life. It’s a pattern that you don’t want to give in to and reward in your child. Note: If your child’s silent treatment is sudden and unexplained, be aware that there may be an underlying abuse or a medical issue.

What happens when you stop responding to the silent treatment?

Here’s the simple truth. When you stop responding to the silent treatment, it will die by neglect. And that’s exactly what you want. Believe me, kids will get out of the habit of freezing you out if it’s not rewarding. And if they want to get something back that they value, they will talk. So always give them the motivation to comply.

Should you give the silent treatment to your partner?

The silent treatment should not be confused with taking time to cool down after heated or difficult exchange. Williams suggests that instead of reverting to the silent treatment, try ‘I can’t talk to you right now, but we can talk about it later.’ Nobody engages the silent treatment expecting it to damage the relationship, and that’s the danger.