My Son Says I Am Too Strict

First, let me acknowledge your strength. Raising a child alone is not easy, and the fact that you have come this far shows how dedicated you are. Your fears are valid because the world today is full of distractions and dangers for teenagers. But here’s the truth: the tighter you hold, the more he will want to break free.

At 16, he’s no longer that little boy who needed your full protection. He is growing into adulthood, craving independence, and wanting his own voice. If you don’t create room for dialogue, he will seek validation and understanding elsewhere, and that is where the real danger lies.

My advice is to switch from control to communication. Instead of saying “No, you can’t go,” ask him why he wants to go and explain your concerns calmly. Set boundaries, yes, but also give him choices within those boundaries. Show him trust in little things, and he will gradually learn responsibility.

Secondly, find bonding activities. Maybe go out together once in a while, watch a movie, play games, or have meals together where you don’t argue about rules but simply talk. When children feel heard, they naturally listen better.

You are not a bad mother. You are only scared of losing him, but overprotection can sometimes push them away faster than the danger you’re trying to protect them from. Allow him space to grow, while still being his guiding light.

Below 👇 is the message I got 

Parenting can sometimes feel like walking on a tightrope. You want the best for your children, but the same love and protection can sometimes be misunderstood as control. This story from my inbox is about a mother struggling with her teenage son who believes she’s being “too strict” and not allowing him to live like his mates.

I am a 42-year-old single mother raising a 16-year-old son. His father and I separated when he was just 4, so I have been the one taking care of him since then. I’ve always worked hard to provide for him, ensure he gets a good education, and keep him away from bad company.

Lately, however, things have changed. He complains that I am “too strict” and “don’t let him live his life.” For example, I don’t allow him to sleep over at friends’ houses, I insist on knowing who his friends are, and I always check in on him when he goes out. I also insist that he focuses on his studies first before anything else.

Now, he’s withdrawn. He barely talks to me, he keeps to himself most of the time, and when we do talk, it often ends in arguments. He once told me that if I keep treating him like a child, he’ll leave the house when he turns 18 and never look back. Those words pierced my heart.

I feel like I’m losing my son, and I don’t know if I’m being too protective or if I should ease up. I’m just scared that if I loosen my grip, he might fall into bad company or make decisions that could ruin his future. I love him dearly, but I don’t know how to balance discipline and freedom. Please, what should I do?

Parents in the house, what do you think? Is she being too strict, or is the son simply rebellious? How do you balance discipline and freedom when raising teenagers?