If a parent is being battered, the child is also at risk, especially a boy. If you have such a background and find yourself in several of these conditions, try to become more and more aware of your potential of becoming abusive and be especially cautious. It is better if you never hit a child, but a rare mild spanking isn't awful. Parents Anonymous mutual-helping groups are safe and offer advice and understanding support to parents wanting to gain control. Remember, all states have an 800 number to which all professionals, teachers, and law enforcement officials are required by law to report all suspected child abuse and neglect.
Friends become more important than parents.
Parent-teenager fights range in intensity from quiet withdrawal to raging arguments on every issue. Parental rules and values are often challenged or broken. The parents may respond just as strongly to the teenager's new behavior. When the agreeable kid starts to argue about everything, it is baffling to them. They may feel like a failure as a parent.