Most parents fear that when their teens reach the teenage years, they're going to develop relationships that lead them down destructive paths. Most teens have at least one friend that encourages bad behavior, but if things get out of control, what should parents do?

"One frequently useful stance is to focus less on the 'evil' friend, and more on the behavior that you want your teenager to avoid. Maybe Danielle's parents don't want her hanging out with Ariel - but more to the point, they don't want her drinking or staying out late."

Addressing the behavior rather than the relationship prevents the teen from becoming defensive about her friend. Through it, you're also communication not just about the types of friends you want her to have, but the way you want her to behave no matter who she's with. Read more at TheGlobeandMail.com.

Getting your child away from negative influences, like friends, TV, and the internet can help your child get to the root of their problems and discover a new way to live. A brat camp, like Sage Walk or Turn-About Ranch, have proven to help even the most difficult teen.

Labels: communication, friends, influences