Some people have begun to subscribe to the belief that once their kids hit the teen years, they are their own people, and they should be allowed to go their own way. This is supposed to be a more modern way of thinking… Others, including me, believe that is a bunch of crap. Teenagers may think that they have the world figured out, but, as a parent, you know very well that they don’t. Heck, a lot of us are still trying to figure out this crazy world.
With that said, here are a few things that every parent should be aware of when it comes to overseeing your teen’s dating and social life:
1. Their business must be your business. Yes, your teen thinks that she’s grown, but no, she is not. When it comes to dating boys, and going out, you should definitely be in the mix. Old fashioned? Yes. So? I don’t know when it became so fashionable and socially accepted for young girls to have babies at 18 “because they’re grown.” Once again, no they’re not; they haven’t even started living yet! Stay in their business, because in reality, a teenager doesn’t have any business.
2. Know who their friends are. Once upon a time, our kid’s friends came over to the house, and we knew what each one of them was about (to some degree), but now they just meet up. With whom? You should know. Get to know who the friends are, and what they’re about.
3. Let your teen know that you’re good for more than just a stern lecture. Now, I’m not advocating being your kid’s buddy. You’re their parent, but make sure that they know that they can talk to you without being dogged by criticism and finger pointing. You need for them to talk to you, because otherwise, you’ll be left in the dark.
–mark anderson
