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by Roger Crain

Created on: March 29, 2009   Last Updated: April 01, 2009

The holidays are a time of joyous celebration for the entire family, but they also can be a time of stress when teenagers are left to roam the aisles of major department stores unsupervised. Here are six reasons why teenagers shouldn't be allowed to shop alone during the holidays:

1) Peer Pressure. You have heard the old adage "When the cat's away, the mice will play." The same holds for teenagers who are left unsupervised in a crowded department during the holidays. Furthermore, when teenagers are gathered around their friends or other teenagers, peer pressure comes into play. It becomes a game to them to see how much they can sneak out of the store without being caught. And peer pressure is the number one culprit here.

2) Prom Night. The aforementioned ditty also holds for this popular social affair, but with this unique twist: "When the cat's away, the mice will have even more reason to play." Oh! But its prom night and besides, you say, if we don't trust Junior how else will he learn how to become a man. There are far more safer ways for Junior to learn about manhood, but leaving him to fend for himself on that most passionate night of his young life is giving him his dessert before the main course. Besides, he's a red-blooded developing male, and you know what they say about that species.

3) Co-ed Sleepovers. I know we are becoming a more liberal minded society, but whatever you do don't let your teenagers share co-ed quarters at night. This is almost as risky as "Prom Night." Its hard for a group of adults to control their anxious hormones, but a mixed group of teenagers unsupervised is opening up a Pandora's Box.

4) Unlicensed Teen Drivers. I know you have taught Junior and/or Susan how to properly operate an automobile. But unless you have been living in a cave all these years, an unlicensed teen driver is a time-bomb waiting to explode. This is always a safe rule of thumb when it comes to teen drivers: If you want Junior and/or Susan to showcase their driving skills, then you should be enough of a concerned parent to supervised those skills while your unlicensed teen is still in possession of those skills.

5) Junior-In-Charge. Remember those days when you left "Junior-In-Charge, while you took a well-deserved R/R (rest and relaxation) at your favorite get-a-way. Well, we are not far removed from those days. Leaving Junior in charge is like opening your home up to all the social elements out there. Take my advice and not leave Junior unsupervised.

6) Teenager with job. Allowing your young inexperienced teen, boy or girl, to be left alone to his or her own devises as far as their money is concerned, is putting the buckboard before the horse. Again, if you care about your teenager, then you will advise him or her about proper money management and knowing how to balance a checkbook.

These six risky behaviors among our teenagers is not only stressful during the holidays, but also are a form of anxiety throughout the year. It is safe to monitor your teenager's behavior until you are absolutely sure that he or she can managed on his or her own without your constant supervision.

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