In addition to SAT, ACT and final exams, the teens in my life are already talking about – and preparing for -- New Year’s celebrations. And I’m nervous.

Should we (fun-loving yet cautious parents) agree to allow the groups to ring in 2007 at our house? I’m more than willing to get the chips, dip, order pizzas and hang the streamers. But I approach this scene with a heavy dose of caution.

Who will show up? How can we monitor their behavior – and how late will they stay? I truly believe my teens’ friends are the “good kids” who don’t cause trouble – but how can I make sure that alcohol and drugs are not part of the plan for these high school revelers? Undoubtedly, I will get asked to allow both boys and girls to sleep over… which goes against all of my parenting instincts. Will a few risk takers spoil the reputation of most of the rule-followers?

My “babysitter will put them to bed on New Years before midnight even strikes” days are over. Has anyone out there been down this path… with any suggestions??

High school finals are around the corner, and I’m hearing the familiar conversation in our community about who has to take what test – and who doesn’t.

I think grade inflation is a real problem in many of our school systems. At some schools, perfect attendance and going into finals with an “A” allows students to be exempt from finals.

I’ve even read recently about some schools raffling cars as rewards for attendance. What ever happened to following the rules and showing up because that is what is expected?

What does What Ever mean? When asked to explain, my teenage daughter simply said, “it means - whatever!” Of course … how can I be so stupid?

I used to get really upset when I heard “whatever”. Someone on television once said it means F.U. But I don’t think so. I have come to the conclusion that it has various meanings. You have to go by context.

• When I’m nagging... “Did you make dinner?” “The dishes are still in the sink!” or “When are you going to vacuum?” – The “Whatever” response means “be quiet” or “shut up”.
• When I’m asking if she wants to do this or that (and neither choice is particularly appealing), “Whatever” means “I don’t care”.
• If I ask an opinion on something, “These shoes or these ones?” “What do you think of the election?” and get “Whatever”… it means: “I don’t know or I don’t care.”
• When I mention another teen car accident on the news – “Whatever” is “I’ve heard it all before, you’re repeating yourself.”

How do you tell the difference? I think it depends on the emphasis and whether or not it is one or two word expression.

Whatever – I don’t care; I don’t know; I’ve heard it all before.

What EVER – is ticked off; meaning, “be quiet” (it’s better than what she IS thinking); and finally, when prefaced by “like” as in “Like… whatevverr” it’s a throw away when she doesn’t know what to say.

I am sure there are many other meanings to this versatile term that I don’t want to know; and Heaven help the parent that misinterprets a “whatever”! It’s almost as annoying as “like”. However, we continue to try to figure out our teenagers, but Oh Man … we never had a saying like that!

I've been back to college campuses lately, but this time as a parent, from a very different angle. My family is on the college visit journey, touring classrooms, facilities, dorms and sitting through information sessions. It's hard not to feel a bit jealous -- with all the opportunity and fun that lies ahead.

It seems that college life has changed in so many ways; it's certainly a wireless world out there. Looking around, everyone was connected to an iPod or cell phone and laptops appear essential. But, thankfully, some of college life seems to resemble my decades-old experiences. Our college tour guides bubbled with youthful, honest enthusiasm about Greek life, parties, best places for coffee, and favorite hang outs. No wonder I feel (a little) jealous.

But I can't say I envy the position that our high schoolers are in. The college admissions process seems unbelievably competitive and complicated. I recently attended a parents' information at my daughter's high school, where groups simulated the admissions committee thought process, using some real-life applications (the names were changed to protect the innocent.) Just to get into college, it seems as if our high school students have to build an incredible resume of grades, AP classes, community service and extracurricular activities. And there are certainly no guarantees – even for the most outstanding and qualified students out there.

The ultimate decision relies both upon the college admissions committee and our daughter's impressions and desires -- I guess this time we're here more for moral (and financial) support. I wonder, what are some other families experiencing as we approach this new phase?