When your children are growing up, they are excited to explore new things and do what adults do. They are trying to be independent to grow out of their comfort zones. Some children start maturing early, while others take their time into it. Parents would always want their children to be safe but also do not want to deprive their teens of things that they want.
So by setting your children free, you are also setting boundaries to teach them how to be responsible. However, how do you set realistic curfews? What are the things that you must consider when setting a realistic curfew? Here are some important points.
Choose a reasonable time
It would be helpful if you would take a more flexible approach in setting curfews for your teens. Some nights you ask your child to be home by 9 PM. Other nights you allow them to stay out until 11 PM.
Consider how your child makes responsible choices. If you think that they are not firm in making choices, you should set a consistent time for them. Consider also their schedule of productivity. Some are more productive at night, so help them by allowing them to stay out later.
If you think that your neighborhood is safe, loosen up a bit. Otherwise, be a little more strict in a time setting. Some special events extend past their curfew. Be reasonable and allow them to go home later.
Read also: 7 Easy Ways to be a Good Parent
Follow the law
Some cities or towns have juvenile curfew laws. They do not allow children below a certain age to be in public places. Some jurisdictions have limits about teens driving at night. As a parent, know the laws in your area. Make sure to discuss them with your child.
Communicate your expectations
You must be clear about what you are expecting from your children. Tell your teens when their curfew is. Remind them what to do when they are running late. Explain the consequences they could get for breaking the boundaries.
Sometimes, children are more willing to follow when their parents hear their point of view. You may invite them to provide inputs on what they feel is a reasonable time to be home. If you find their inputs unreasonable, explain why and state your preferred time to be home.
Read also: 8 Positive Parenting Tips for Your Teens
Consider your child's sleeping time
Get your child to sleep in time by setting a curfew for them. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends an amount of sleep for teenagers. It says that children ages 13 to 18 should sleep at least 8 to 10 hours a day.
Adjust the curfew as needed
When your child is consistent following the time you have set, you might give them extensions. By doing so, you are teaching them how to do sound judgment to grow up maturely. If your teens are regularly late, it means they are not ready to be given privileges yet.
Read also: Peer Pressure: How to Teach Your Teens to Stand Up for Themselves
Set consequences
Setting consequences is as crucial as setting curfews. You might roll 30 minutes if they break it the first time. Give them the chance to earn it back when they performed better. By talking to your kid about the consequences, they are likely to abide.
If your child does break it, tell them that it made you worry but glad that they are safe. Then talk to them about the consequences without getting angry. If you are, let the anger pass first before you do the talk.
Be understanding when they get home late for some unwanted circumstances. Examples are if it was due to poor weather conditions or if they encountered unsafe scenarios. Advise your child to call you when they feel that they are running late rather than make excuses later on.
