Our 14 year old son has been sneeking out of our home while we are sleeping @ night ....................

The first time we heard of this was when our pastors son and 5 other kids were out @ 3:00 AM and flipped the vehicle twice they were in. Our pastors son is a friend of our son's and he was to be picked up also but, my husband just happened to be up sick most of the night and our son could not leave.Thank God all the children were safe with only minor injuries.Unfortunately my pastor's family was not so lucky and ended up having to have a warrant filed on there son , due to him taking the car and being only 14 years old - this was the only way the insurance would pay for the car and all the medical bills. My heart broke for my son as I could only think about the Lord protecting him from not being with the kids that night.

However, since then and just tonight I find out he has continued to do this and did so about 1:30 just this morning with a couple of his friends Out riding and racing in his friends parents car. My heart and soul is breaking into a million pieces right now , because we as parents have punished him with spankings , grounding him and taking away things he loves as well as his friends . PLEASE CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME ADVICE OR TELL ME , WHAT I AM DOING WRONG AS A PARENT - DO I NEED TO SEND HIM AWAY FOR AWHILE OR JUST stop breathing because this is killing me!!!

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That spring ritual is upon us... high school prom. I remember my prom like it was yesterday. I'm trying not to be "Debbie Downer" -- but I think it's a totally overrated, over-expensive endeavor.

This year's plans and discussions are including limos (which is OK) and co-ed sleep overs (OK.. enough is enough).

Parents out there... what are you doing , if anything, to control prom excesses... without crashing their party and teenage anticipation?

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PARENTS SURVEY

Hi there, it would be greatly appreciated if you could fill in this survey which will assist me in completing my Independent Research Project as part of the Community and Family Studies course for the HSC. I am researching on how much parents know about adolescents. Please respond in reference to your experience with your teenager. All responses are confidential if desired. Thank you.

YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE THE QUESTIONS AND TYPE YOUR ANSWERS. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO POST YOUR RESPONSE HERE, YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL WITH YOUR RESPONSES TO mzbeex@gmail.com. THANK YOU.

GENERAL

Your gender: □ Male □ Female

PERSONALITY/SELF

Which of the following are closest in describing your teen: (circle one from each)

Extrovert or Introvert?

Aggressive, Assertive or Submissive?

Predictable or Unpredictable?

Mature or Immature?

Independent or Dependent?

More Angelic or Devious?

What do you consider is your teen’s greatest strengths and weaknesses?

________________________________________________________

What is your teen’s attitude towards his/her body? (tick one)

□ Loves his/her body

□ Happy with his/her body

□ Wants changes to his/her body

□ Hates his/her body

LIFE

What is your teen currently putting most of his/her energy into?

__________________________________________________________

What personal issues is your teen trying to resolve?

_______________________________________________

Who has the most daily influence on your teen’s thoughts and behaviours?

_________________________________________________________

Who would your teen confide in if there was a serious issue?

_______________________________________________________

What is one thing your teen definitely wants to do/achieve in life?

____________________________________________________________

SOCIAL LIFE

Can you name 3 of your teen's closest friends?

________________________________________________

Can you name someone your teen dislikes or hates?

______________________________________________________

Is or has your teen been involved in a relationship?

□ Yes □ No

ENTERTAINMENT

What is your teen’s favourite hobby or pastime?

__________________________________________

What is your teen’s favourite television shows? __________________________________________

ALCOHOL/DRUGS/SEX

How often does your teen consume alcoholic beverages?

□ Never

□ Social Drinker

□ Often drinks

Has your teen ever smoked a cigarette?

□ Yes □ No

Has your teen ever tried any illicit drugs like marijuana?

□ Yes □ No

Has your teen been involved in sexual activity?

□ Yes □ No

Has your teen ever watch an X-rated video/film?

□ Yes □ No

Purchased contraceptives?

□ Yes □ No

EXPENDITURE

What does your teen spend most of his/her money on?

□ Food and snacks

□ Clothes

□ Entertainment/Movies

□ Other: _________________________________

EDUCATION

Does your teen still attend school?

□ Yes □ No

How does or did your teen perform at school?

□ Very well

□ Average

□ Poor

What does your teen want to do once he/she completes school?

THANK YOU AGAIN !

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Okay, this is my first trip up at bat on this website; in fact, I've only been a member for about 2 minutes and I'm already asking questions. My story goes as, my daughter, freshly 17, has dated this boy two years her senior for the past year and a half. Along this road, I have had to stop (or so I thought) her from seeing this boy. He is possessive, controlling and manipulative to her and others. She was sneaking him into the house when I was gone, sneaking him into the house while I was sleeping and sneaking from school to be with this boy. They were very sexually active, that I found out along the line. I guess I as naive to believing that their relationship had gone to that level. I knew it was a matter of time, so I put her on the pill. I later found letters they wrote to each other, him begging her to get pregnant and describing things they've done. The letters were sickening for a mother to read. She was agreeing with him and telling him she was "trying" to get pregnant but she didn't know why she wasn't. From these letters, they were sexually active quite often. I'm wondering if she was going along with him, but still taking the pill knowing that getting pregnant wasn't the right thing to do....I don't know...I can only hope a little piece of reality kept her from going through with it or that by the grace of God, it just didn't happen. She was upset and didn't come home for two days. I looked for her, I went to the police and they said that because of where we lived, they could not do anything because she was over 14 at the time. This kid had more rights than I did. I went to the court house, judge...still, no rights for the mother. She came home and we "tried" to talk. I told her once again she was not allowed to see this kid. He bought her a cellphone since I took hers away...I later confiscated that phone along with her computer. I gave the computer and phone back 6 months later after her grounding was up. We are now living in another state, I feel that they are still having contact but cannot find the proof. She wears this ring he gave her and she says she is waiting for him and that she will be with him when she turns 18. My child is 17 and has her whole life on hold because of this boy. I've tried everything possible but feel that the more I push the more she goes towards him. I backed off and we don't talk about him any longer or how much trouble he is...but she still pines away for this kid. My daughter is very bubbly, intelligent and beautiful, why is she putting her whole life on hold for this one boy? I feel that when she is 18 and an "adult", that she is going to end up pregnant simultaneously and let her dreams and hopes go down the drain for this guy. Am I over reacting, I don't think I am, I feel as a parent, I've done everything I can....is there anyone else out there going through this or who has gone through this that can give me a sense of comfort about this situation? I just don't know what more I can do other than stick to my guns, which I will...but is there other ways to go about this?

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i  writing about want to do to help my daug. she is 16 will be 17 in oct. in 9th grade way behind in math she lost her sister when she was 10 in 2001 her sister was shot by a guy that was abcessed with her stalking her we didnt know about it it was the home depot shooting if anyone remembers anyway i put her in resource classes in 4th grade because she was behind and that was not helping her catch up if any of you have had kids in resource you know .so in 7th grade i fought with teachers to get in clabroative class where a reg. teacher teaches and they modafity work and another teacher is in there she has did good in everything but math i wonder if home schooling would be good for her she doesnt fit in  with the kids at school has no life kids never called to hang with her,she quiet and shy and doesnt act her age i think baby her to much after the death of her sister doing everthing for her also she still wants me to read to her every night why she goes to sleep i dont know how to stop i feel sorry for her she has no real friends just kids that call and hang when theyb have nothing else to do . i worry that she wont be able to past graduate test with fixed grades and the little help in public school

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In our fast-paced society, it's time for high school students to start selecting their course load for next year. Never mind that we're not done with this year yet.

I'm conflicted about the Advanced Placement environment. I know that I should be grateful -- there are many parents and families dealing with learning challenges who would welcome the chance to have to decide between regular, honors or AP. But what's the big rush to experience college level classes in high school? Everyone is always referring to "depth of curriculum" -- that for college acceptance students should really attempt the most challenging coursework possible.

A recent article in Atlanta Magazine, my hometown glossy, actually ranked area high schools by how many AP classes they offered students (the highest scoring on the list was 32 different AP offerings.) Is the teenage brain ready to digest  AP Chinese, Econ, Calculus, and British Literature? I can't even remember most of the coursework I did in college, let alone high school. 

So should parents push the AP classes? Is it a mistake to say high school coursework is OK with me? Schedule selections for next year are due soon. Any thoughts out there? 

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my daughter is 16 years old. Going on 17 in april. She goes to bradford area high school. There is alot of people there that get bullyed. She had food thrown at here and tried tripping her pushing her and even beating her up. She told the teachers, and the cop that walks around the school. All he had to say was he cant hold her hand class to class. All she said was that people were bothering her and threating her. She went to the consulor and he said he would watch the camras and he didnt. i have no where else to go i tried everything. I talked to these parents that had a daughter the same age as my daughter and she killed herself because of the bullying. so if you have any answers to my entry please let me know  sincerly, cindy 

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We are taking our teen son camping at Disney for Spring Break along with a friend.  My prayer is that we do not find little extra surprises packed to take along, and that my husband and I do not have to buy Disney a new golf cart!

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Hi everyone-

I don't know how many people read this but I thought it was a worthwhile site to get some information out there.  Please go to stopteendrugaddiction.com to read my story - a story I hope will help other parents to learn about the dangers of teen drug and alcohol abuse.  Our kids are in a war zone and we parents need to stay informed about teen culture today.  I know I made the mistake of using my own growing up years as a point of reference to what I think teens are doing today - boy, was I wrong.  Take a look and please email me if you have any questions.  Don't be afraid - be informed!

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OK -- They're older, on their own, managing their lives at college. Yes, some of us may have teens who are spending their first year on a college campus somewhere. At at this time of year in college life, spring break is just around the corner. 

My teen (yes, an older teen, but still a teen) is traveling South with friends for a spring break on the beach. Been there, done that -- many years ago, but the more things change... the more they stay the same. 

I'm not naive  -- these spring break plans involve more than just a break from academics and some warm weather. While I"m all for a good time, I am requiring all the information and phone numbers on hotel arrangements, friends' cell phone numbers and at least one call home each day to check in.

I admit, I can't wait until the week is over and everyone is safely back on campus. Are there any parents out there experiencing the same anxiety? Any words of wisdom??

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