Ah, the battle cry of the “almost adult”! Parents all around the country cringe when they try to enforce a family rule, only to be met with their 17-and-a-half-year-old’s shout: “Soon, you won’t be able to control me at all!”
Is that true? Are all bets off once your child reaches that golden age of 18?
The answer is yes and no. (But mostly no.) It’s true that when your child reaches the age of 18, they are legally seen as an adult and are legally responsible for their own behavior instead of their parents. They can’t break laws, of course – being 18 just means you can be tried as an adult, not that you’re free to do anything you please.
What concerns many parents is how much control they can have over their child once they reach 18, and many parents abdicate all authority once their kids are no longer minors. So how can you tell your child what to do when they’re legally an adult?
Parents Get to Make the Rules in Their Home
The truth is, no matter how old your child, you have the right to make and enforce the rules of your house. Your 18-year-old has to follow the rules just as much as your 4-year-old does.
Of course, as kids get older, they can earn more privileges and have more responsibility. However, the age factor does not give them an excuse to be abusive (verbally or physically) or disrespectful.
Your house rules are your house rules. And as James Lehman (creator of The Total Transformation child behavior program) says, there’s never any excuse for abuse—no matter how old someone is.
In the Empowering Parents three-part series on adult children, James Lehman describes how many parents get sucked into feeling like they owe their child a place to live or food to eat. Indeed, many older children begin to treat their parents’ home as though it were a hotel.
Parents Get to Enforce the Rules in Their Home
Teens have an error in their thinking when they believe that turning 18 suddenly means they can do whatever they want. That “thinking error” shows up in many ways, often around issues of school or good grades.
If they don’t want to go to school, they’ll say, “I’m almost 18—you can’t make me.” Or, “As soon as I turn 18, I’m going to quit, and you can’t stop me.”
Both of those statements are true. You can’t force your child to go to school, and you can’t stop them from quitting once they’re 18. You can, however, enforce a family rule.
If you believe your child should finish high school, tell them:
“You’re right. I can’t force you to go, and I can’t stop you from quitting. However, the rule in this house is that you stay in school and graduate from high school or get a full-time job and pay rent. The choice is up to you.”
If they come back at you with “Okay, I’ll move out then,” you may just need to let that comment slide. Teens often challenge your rules by threatening you with leaving, trying to get you to give in to their demands.
A more appropriate response to that kind of comment would be:
“That’s not what I want to see happen. However, you do need to find a way to comply with the rules as long as you live here.”
Then, walk away. Your child might be so shocked by your reply that they’ll find a way to comply with your rules.
Your Rules Apply to Any Age Child (or Guest) in Your Home
Remember, the rules are the rules—and the rules of your house remain the rules of your house no matter how old your child. It would be the same for a guest in your home. It’s your home, after all.
This needs to be stated clearly and firmly. Your house rules should reflect your morals and values and provide a safe environment for everyone in the home.
For example, no stealing or lying will be tolerated in your home. Curfews need to be met. Basic hygiene and respect for others’ property are expected. And no drug or alcohol use is allowed, especially if the child is still under legal drinking age.
You may have other rules to add to this list. If your 18 or older child is living in your house, they need to abide by your rules or face the consequences. Sit down together and talk about your rules, expectations, and potential consequences.
How to Respond to ‘You Can’t Tell Me What to Do!’
Once you’ve had this discussion, you can sidestep all those cries of “You can’t make me.” When your child challenges you with “I’m almost 18, you can’t tell me what to do,” the most effective response is:
“You’re right. I can’t tell you what to do outside of this house. But while you’re here, you do need to comply with my rules. You don’t have to like them, but you do have to find a way to follow them.”
Don’t engage in a power struggle over who’s right or wrong, and don’t argue with their faulty thinking patterns and entitlement. If they break the rules, follow through with the consequence for breaking those rules.
Conclusion
Remember, whether your child is 5 years old or over 18, your home is your home, and your rules are your rules. Once they’re 18, you can’t control all their choices,but you can create a safe and somewhat peaceful home environment. Good luck!
