Teenagers Crave Independence. The More Self-suf-ficient We

Responsibility Is Fostered By Allowing Children A Voice And Wherever Indicated A Choice In Matters That Affect Them.

I Can Be A Tool Of Torture Or An Instrument Of Inspiration. I Can Humiliate Or Heal. In All Situations, It Is My Response That Decides Whether A Crisis Will Be Escalated Or De-escalated And A Child Humanized Or Dehumanized.

Teenagers Crave Independence. The More Self-suf-ficient We Make Them Feel, The Less Hostile They Are Toward Us.

Whenever I Hear About A Child Needing Something, I Ask Myself, 'is It What He Needs Or What He Wants?' It Isn't Always Easy To Distinguish Between The Two. A Child Has Many Real Needs Which Can And Should Be Satisfied. His Wants Are A Bottomless Pit. He Wants, For Example, To Sleep With His Parents. He Needs To Be In His Own Bed. At Christmas He Wants Every Toy Advertised On Television. He Needs Only One Or Two.

While Parents Possess The Original Key To Their Offspring's Experience, Teachers Have A Spare Key. They, Too, Can Open Or Close The Minds And Hearts Of Children.