What to do when you are 16 and your dad treats you like 6?

Answer 1

Right off the bat, I'm wondering what, from your perspective, means that he is treating you like you are 6? If he truly treated you like you were 6 years old, does that mean that he expects you to play in the mud, or does he make you play with 6 year olds? Not sure what you mean.

However, I have a theory. Are you certain that your dad is just being very cautious and trying to keep you safe? Is your dad trying to prohibit you from going out and riding around all the time with your friends? I'm not saying that's right, but I hear all the time of kids getting killed, and when I read the story, it's because they weren't watching what they were doing, having too much fun.

Well, I don't mean to take your dad's side. I'm just not sure what you meant by that. I'll admit, when I was 16 I cut loose and got away from the house as much as I could. But I know now that my parents worried a lot about me, and didn't sleep at night if I were still out running around. Plus, the world is even crazier now than it was back then!

Answer 2

Remember that you will officially be an adult in 2 years and remind your dad of that fact. But truthfully, parents often treat their kids like they were 6 no matter what the age. My boyfriend is 50 and his mom still treats him like he was a little boy! Some parents just don't seem to be able to help it. I guess this is because sometimes we don't want you to grow up because we know we will lose you. Also, if you are the youngest or the only child, you are more likely to be treated like a little kid. My youngest son is 13 and will be in high school in Sept. I am having a hard time remembering that he really is old enough to handle a lot of things himself. I just now feel comfortable about leaving him alone all day. It is not just me either - his dad grandparents and big sister all still think of him as a little boy.
It may be that you just need to earn your dad's respect. Maybe you could get a job to show that you are responsible young man. You can get a work permit at your high school. My sixteen year old got hired at a grocery store, takes his job very seriously and is putting $$ in his savings account to save for a car. He has definitely proved that he is a responsible young adult.

Answer 3

I had just the opposite problem. I was 6 and my father wanted me to act like I was 16.

You need to set the record straight, respectfully I might add, with your dad. Tell him how you feel. "Dad I am 16. I am not a young child anymore." be intelligent with your conversation. Don't say "Ya know" or use bad language when discussing things with him.

Above all remember this. He is faced with his own aging. To some men that can be a major emotional problem. By keeping you as a six year old he is not admitting to himself that he is growing older.

Answer 4

Its hard to say why you feel your Dad is acting like that. Is it just that he is protecting you from potential harmful mistakes most 16 yr olds are apt to make, or has your behaviour put up red flags for him. I have 3 kids, one is now 30, another 22, and one who is 16. Each one of them was and is different at your age. The oldest I had absolutelly no concern about...just his nature was so calm and matured early.
The middle one was always pushing the envelope and was and still is hard to get along with, even though he's mellowed alot now and values the home life he had here with me. Understands much more now what I was trying to tell him about his behaviour. And now my 16 yr. is find her way to adulthood. She is still naive about consequences her actions will produce...though she's very smart and talented. She is smart enough to know though how much she is loved by her family, and understands that any restraints we put on her are in her best interest to guide and protect her from hazardous mistakes that are essentially irreversible and can affect her future.
SO, I say to you, your best chance right now, is to find out where you stand with your Dad. Tell him how you feel, be open and honest. Control your outbursts and yelling (if you do that). Talk maturely...pretend your 40 yrs old....but speak from your heart..and ask him how he feels, what he thinks about you. Ask what he expects from you. Then work on a solution that suits you both. And STICK WITH IT. Mature people stick with their plans... show him he can rely on you and trust you. It'll become second nature to you...and voila!!! you've grown up!!!

Answer 5

The only way out of that situation is to behave as though you were 20. Seriously, you can talk till you are blue in the face, but actions are the only thing that will impress your dad. Try doing something around the house without being asked, like cutting the lawn or taking the garbage out. He'll be astonished. Wash the car (without asking to use it) and he'll be flabbergasted!
Try it -- and good luck!

Answer 6

Try showing your dad that you can behave like an adult. If you show him consistently that you can handle situations and life without tantrums, whining, and door slamming, he'll begin to see you for the man you are becoming not the child you were. You must behave in the manner you want to be treated. That means doing chores without being told, getting the best grades you can, thinking before you act, etc. Hang in there, you can do it.

Answer 7

hopefully you have an open communication with your dad. talk to him and let him know how you feel to the way that he treats you. He probably loves you so much that he doesn't want to accept that you're 16 and possibly make the same mistakes that he may have made at your age.

Answer 8

Talk to him like an adult. Ask him why he's treating you the way he is (after a specific situation, not in a general sense). He may have good reasons for setting the rules up the way he has. If he doesn't, the conversation will be an opportunity for you guys to make changes.

Then, if you can, change your behavior. Remember - it's much more difficult to change another person than it is to change yourself.

Answer 9

Your dad has forgotten more than you know about life, and he always will know more than you. I'm sure he's looking out for your best interests, be thankful your dad is there to do this. You will be better off for it, trust me!! And when you have children, you'll be the same way.. because your dad taught you.

My suggestion is to listen closely and learn.. reap the rewards of having a dad that loves you!!!

Answer 10

Well, there is a reason he treats you that way. Think about your attitude. Think of the way you treat him. Do you act like a 6 year old?