Parenting Teenagers (12-18) Support Group
This community is focused on the joys, challenges and concerns faced by parents of teenagers (12 to 18 year olds). The major areas of child development include: physical development, perception and sensory development, communication and language development, cognitive development, emotional development and social development.
I realize that kelli7 already has this book "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy" by Dr. Michael Bradley, posted in RECOMMMENDATIONS, but this book is SOOO good and helpful I would like to highlight it in DISCUSSIONS because it's that good! I recommend this book to EVERYONE (even parents who aren't there yet)! This book is the best book I ever read with regards to parenting. Not only do I like the humorous approach he uses, (it definitely helps when you have a heavy heart) but he really gives parents confidence on how to parent their adolescents. My husband and I were beside ourselves trying to deal with our youngest son these last few months. He was quickly diving into the deep end and, truthfully, I thought we were in for the long haul. Dr. Michael Bradley's book is what helped us get through it, however, and much faster than my husband and I anticipated! I was,also, fortunate enough to hear him speak recently. He's not only a great writer, and doctor, but an awesome speaker! He blew me away. After his talk, I left with a lighter heart (I laughed during most of his talk) and some direction and, like I said before...confidence. **Note: It also helps he has his own 16 year old son. So please go get this book!
http://www.docmikebradley.com/vBulletin/
He answers fairly quickly, a day or two at the most. I'm a much better parent for having read his book.
Mom of 3 - I think the whole issue with the driving, for me, is that loss of control. He's suppose to check in with us on a regular basis (something is he arguing against - but we've pointed out if we can't trust him to do that - then we can't trust him to drive). But just knowing that he has a LOT of freedom to move from place to place w/o me knowing about it is a little unnerving. Also, this is the point where a lot of kids start partying because they have so much freedom. As my best friend pointed out to me yesterday - we've spend the last 15 yrs teaching him right from wrong, etc. All we can do now is pray... a lot. I don't mean to make it sound like I'm giving up total control - I'm not but I am going to have to learn to let go more. Hope that makes sense.
The letting go part makes perfect sense. Everytime my daughter goes out I say "no drinking, no drugs" and expect her to answer. Then if she messes that up, I deal with the consequences. You can't keep them in jail (home) thinking that is the answer, and some stuff is more deadly, like drinking and driving versus picking up your kid and watching them puke their guts out after. Driving is definitely a huge responsibility, and if they can't handle the smaller ones, they aren't ready for one that big, I definitely agree with that too. Sounds so easy, hey?