Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:00 am
"Teenagers may avoid being seen by friends in the company of their parents. Why? The job of teenagers is to move away from dependence on their parents toward the necessary independence of adulthood. Since children model the behavior of their parents, parents must act in conformity with the values they recommend to their children. Give your children clear guidelines and adhere to them consistently. While they may complain to their friends (and you), they now have an excuse to opt out of risky behavior. You are still the parent, and still legally in control. But effective parents have been gradually giving their children more control over their lives for years. The last area to continue to control relates to matters of personal safety: alcohol, drugs, sex and driving. Your attention here can not be abandoned. Parenting is the most challenging and rewarding act of an adult. Acting wisely can make it the most successful chapter of your life."