The toddler and teen periods are remarkably similar: a huge surge of brain growth, increased self-centeredness, intense curiosity, misunderstanding of own limitations, defiance… Parenting toddlers and teens is similar in some ways as well. The most notable of these is creating an environment for success. Just as you toddler proof, you should also teen proof. Set them up to achieve, don’t set traps for failure.
It is normal for toddlers to touch everything, to climb on everything, to throw things to see what happens, etc. You wouldn’t leave valuable, breakable objects on the coffee table for your toddler to get a hold of. You wouldn’t leave electrical outlets open for your toddler to stick a pen into. You clear the toddler’s environment of dangers and then let them explore because this is the way they learn about the world and gain self-confidence.
The same goes for teens. Don’t leave temptations out in their reach which encourage them to break the rules. It is normal for teens to try on “adult” lifestyle choices. They are learning how to become grown-ups and they do that by behaving the way they see/think grown-ups behave. Put away the liquor (or only have it around for gatherings and just buy enough, not extra). Keep cash hidden. Lock securely all firearms and keep bullets far away and hidden as well. Put valuable heirlooms in storage for now. I suggest putting a deadbolt lock on your bedroom door and keeping these things in there and locked up whenever you’re not home. Just tell the kids that there are private things in there that they really wouldn’t want to stumble upon (teens do NOT want to think of their parents’ private romantic life – elude to this).
We love and trust our kids and we raise them with good values so we think our kids wouldn’t steal cash from our wallets or drink from our liquor bottles or have people over when we’re away. But they may. This doesn’t make them untrustworthy or bad. This makes them poor decision-makers sometimes and normal, curious teens potentially dealing with peer pressure. Take the temptations out of the equation so that they can succeed in continuing to earn your trust (and the potential for liability if the kids do have so-called friends over and trouble ensues).
We are earning their trust too. If we set traps for them we will only widen the divide between us and our teen. Close that gap by setting up an environment of success and giving them encouragement and showing confidence in their abilities.