As parents dealing with teens, sometimes we get it all wrong, but other times we get it just right. Help other parents learn from things that worked for you. Here are a few examples.

My son was doing two things that drove me crazy: not picking up after himself and regularly missing the school bus (He never misses the Saturday bus that takes him snowboarding).  I told him I was implementing two new services for a fee: maid service and taxi service. Cleaning up his dishes, etc. and driving him to school cost $5 each.  Because he works for his spending money, he doesn’t want to waste it.  His behavior has really improved! — Lauren Starkey

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I am 5’0”. My 15-year-old son is 6’1”.  We were having a little disagreement and I was pointing my finger at him while I expressed my discontent. As I looked up at him, something felt wrong. I said, “Wait one second,” as I pulled over a chair, stood on it and shifted my perspective to the proper one – looking down at my child. That move erased the tension and we both ended up laughing. –Kim Newmark, East Brunswick, New York

Now tell us, what’s worked for you?