Sept. 29, 2025

How Do I Get My Teen to Care About Our Family Standards? (Without Forcing Them)

Have you ever felt stuck trying to get your teen to care about your family values? Maybe you’re trying to live a family travel lifestyle, prioritize real-life experiences, and hold higher standards—but your teen just feels "different" from their friends… and not in a good way.

If you’ve faced this struggle, you’re not alone. And the good news is, there’s a better way to approach it.

In our podcast episode, "#326 Help!! My Teen Feels 'Controlled' and 'Different'! How to Hold Standards Without Resentment or Rebellion," we break down exactly how to help your child embrace your family standards—without control, punishment, or power struggles.

We also talk about how we’ve successfully raised 7 well-adjusted kids—without yelling, tantrums, punishments or power struggles. You can check out how we did it here: How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles

The Real Problem Isn’t the Rules—it’s the Relationship

If your teen is rebelling against your lifestyle or rules, it usually means they don’t see the benefits yet.

They don’t feel like your way of life is more fun, more exciting, or more rewarding than the alternative.

And honestly?

That’s on us as parents.

Our job is to create a family culture that is more attractive than the peer culture.

This doesn’t mean giving in or lowering your standards.

It means raising your game.

If the neighborhood kids are sitting around playing video games and eating junk food, your teen should be cliff jumping, paddle boarding, climbing mountains, or reading life-changing books and talking about big ideas.

If you’re not creating a family life that’s so good they can’t ignore it, you’re going to lose the battle to screens and mediocrity.

The Power of Family Travel

One of the best ways to help your teen embrace high standards is through family travel.

When you experience new cultures, big adventures, and meaningful connections together, it shifts your child’s perspective.

Travel makes life bigger.

It changes your child’s view of the world—and themselves.

That’s why we’re constantly seeking new experiences, from hiking Kilimanjaro to getting scuba certified to playing Spikeball in the front yard.

When kids have real life happening, they don’t crave fake experiences like video games or social scrolling.

Set the Standard… and Live It Yourself

If you want your teen to level up, you have to level up first.

That might mean:

Reading and learning alongside them
Going on bigger adventures as a family
Eating healthier together
Being willing to move or travel if your environment isn’t helping you grow

The key is to live the life you’re preaching.

Kids see right through hypocrisy.

But when they see you getting up early, working out, reading great books, and chasing big goals—they’ll naturally follow.

Final Thoughts

Parenting is hard.

But it’s also the most rewarding work you’ll ever do.

You don’t have to choose between rules and relationship—you can have both.

Just make sure you’re not trying to control your kids.

Convince them instead.

Show them why this way of life is better.

When you create a family culture of growth, adventure, and love, your kids will want to choose it for themselves.

Want to level up your family life?

👉 Want to give your teen an unforgettable experience that will expand their world? Check out our Family Study Abroad program in Portugal. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live, learn, and adventure together—while strengthening your family bonds forever.

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Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.