One of the secrets to a relatively easy teenager is to be very active in spending time with them, and especially listen to your children when they are younger. Hear the fanciful stories and their young adventures and treat them with dignity and respect. They will reciprocate when they are older.

Parents who models ignoring them when small will teach them they shouldn't listen. That comes home to roost when they are older and become assertive of their place in the world.

Another is to carve out family time every single day. They will get wrapped up with friends and other things. You want family bonds that are stronger than ties with ephemeral friends, and that takes serious investment. We always have family dinner and discussions every night, with only very rare exceptions allowed.