On the heels of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, one Chicago community has been dealing with the death of another teenager who fell to her death, believe it or not, through a skylight on the roof of a building.

A Chicago Tribune editorial (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0704240616apr25,1,129741.story) commented that the details of this bizarre tragedy have to be sorted out by the police -- how the group of kids got to the roof, why they had access to alcohol, and why the other kids waited so long to call 911.

The editorial also asked what lessons the rest of us with teenagers can take away from this tragic incident. "With the arrival of spring weather, prom nights, prank season at many schools and graduation parties galore, are we setting age-appropriate limits on teens' conduct? Do we recognize young people's tendency to make fateful choices -- and try to keep them in situations that minimize the risks? Or do we do the teens around us the ultimate injustice: Do we pretend they're adults?"

Perhaps too many of us are giving up our parental controls a little too early. These teens are young adults, but time and time again demonstrate some really ridiculous behaviors and lack of maturity when it comes to decision-making. This generation has been raised with the "Just Do It" mantra. Maybe it's not too late for parents to just say no -- to late nights, senior trips, fake IDs and unlimited access to our cars.

 

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I know studying for final exams are not even on the to-do list, but I can't help wonder, what are my teens going to do all summer?? 

Somehow we hit the gray area of summertime parenting -- hanging out at the pool and water park  (with mom) is no longer an option, and definitely not cool. This is also the first summer with certain friends who can drive. The job market seems rough and almost non-existent -- even the college kids are gainfully unemployed. I don't think I can face a summer of just text-messaging and facebooking. Beyond a baby sitting job here and there, does anyone have any brilliant (or even not-so-brilliant) ideas about planning for the long and lazy days of summer? 

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A "College Columbine." Shock, sadness, fear. There's another national tragedy to try to wrap our arms around -- as we wrap our arms around our teens who we so desperately try to keep safe from so many hazards, each and every day. 

Every morning I wait for my "I got there" call as my daughter pulls out of the driveway, behind the wheel on her way to high school.  I wait for those "hey mom, just checking in" two-second phone calls from my son, who's on his own, away at college. 

College campuses, like an Amish schoolhouse, are supposed to be safe havens for our kids. I've worried plenty about dorm life, the drinking, frat parties, lack of sleep -- not shootings. With one child on a college campus and another set to go soon, I feel overwhelmed not so much with fear, but profound sadness. They've come so far -- we've worked so hard -- there's so much of life ahead to experience and enjoy.  

Life is unpredictable. We try to offer guidance, help our kids make good decisions but so much of life is just totally uncontrollable. I find myself at a loss for advice or counsel for my soon to-be-adult kids, just the overwhelming reality to live each day to its fullest, maintain perspective and never miss an opportunity to tell them that I love them. 

 

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I have  a12 yr.old daughter(13 in 2 mos) I found her diary today and I read some of it. Last Mon the 2nd she wrote that she cut herself 3 times and reminded herself where she hides her razor. I am so confused and don't know how to handle it. I don't want her knowing I read her diary, at this point I feel the need to 'keep up' on what she's doing. I am in denial about the seriousness of it just for the fact that she seems so secure and sure of who she is. I have a million thoughts running through my mind~ does anyone out there understand what I'm feeling? I need advice, this is so weird I am in TOTAL shock that this is happening.

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i am having lost s of trouble communicating with my 18 year old daughter and i am really worried about her. she is in college so i dontsee her that often she got an owi dring while intoxicated just recently so she has no licesne so she doesnt et home much. i have been worried about her for quite awhile an i am so afraid that she has a drinking problem i dont know how much she drinks when she is a school but i know they party alot on the weekends but i also know that is typical fora teeenager in college still doesnt make it right. but anyway when she comes home all we do is fight and she is gone all night on the weekends and doesnt seem to enjoy spending time with us any more but that is also typical teenage behavior isnt it. I really want to do whats right for her but i dont want to baby her either i want her to be responsile for her own actions i dont want to harm her self esteem anymore than i think it is already been hurt through out her life by some of the things that have happened to her. her dad is a recovering alcoholic and i worry so much that she has the tendency to have this problem due to some of her characteristics and behaviors i just want to pray for her and let god take care of her but i also want to be able to show her that i love her. but everytime wer are together we seem to argue or disagrree on everything. does anyone out there know where i am coming from on this. i just need someone to tell me the best way to communicate with her and to steer her back onto the right path. HElp I am confused about what to do.

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