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.

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mere2 06/03/2016

I can't believe it. He is taking a year off and plans on staying home at least that long but I am still having some anxiety. Does anyone else feel like they are just not sure how to parent at this stage? Will I ever feel like he is ready to be out on his own? He thinks he is so grown but he is not. We have told him he will need to get a job and go for his license and start acting like an adult if he wants to be treated like one... But is it better to look at that the other way around? If we treat him like an adult he will act like one... Maybe I'm just over thinking it.

refurb 06/03/2016

did he work to his ability
did he respect boundaries (knuckleheadedness allowed)
will he carry a lot of college debt

what level of age appropriate trust has he earned and why do you say so

mere2 06/04/2016

Yes I think he did work to his ability he is graduating cum laude, and for the most part respected boundaries. He isn't headed right off to college but since we can't afford to put him through school he will have to pay for it himself when and if he does go.. I think my concern is that he doesn't seem to be as independent and mature as other kids his age. He thinks he is 18 so he should be able to do what he wants but with no license he is reliant on myself or my husband for a ride where he wants to go so his weekend plans need to be run by us before hand if he is planning on a ride from us. Don't most kids this age already know this stuff?

refurb 06/04/2016

yes a lot of kids his age are independent and more mature than he

a lot of those kids don't respect boundaries, work to their abilities, graduate cum laude

so an immature kid, that is not independent, that doesn't know what to go to college for, isn't ready to leave the nest and take on debt, where is the problem?

immature & not independent, consider him not going to school, staying with you,getting a job, getting his license, and paying some $ for insurance

mere2 06/05/2016

Thanks when you put it that way it makes perfect sense.

refurb 06/06/2016

It is easier for me to tell you what you take for granted
Then for me to "know" what I take for granted

You got a good kid that is maybe a bit immature and "stuck"
All in all ... You got a good kid

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