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| Yes | 67% | 32 votes | Total: 48 votes | |
| No | 33% | 16 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesDuring the holiday season I think that it is okay for a teen to shop alone for gifts. At an appropriate age, which is usually in the teens, children need to feel out there own independence and this is a fantastic way to do so. It is easy to allow your teen to shop safely with a few guidelines. You have to shop so take them to the mall with you. During the drive explain to them what your expectations are and any consequences if they are failed to be met.
1) Have a frank conversation with your teen before hand about safety. Keeping there money and belongings safe; and more importantly keeping themselves safe. To always be aware of who is around them and to be very careful of who they should talk to. In addition, that should go without saying, that under no circumstances should they leave the mall.
2) Select a meeting location and make sure that the child knows where it is before you separate. I suggest the security desk. When you go into the mall walk to the security desk together and explain that you are going to meet back at this exact spot. Take the time to point out what the security guards are wearing so that they can spot them easily in mall if a situation should arise and they need assistance.
3) Be sure that your teen has a cell phone on them with a charged battery so that you can be in contact. I would randomly call the child to see what store they are in and what their progress is. Also, explan that it is important for them to call you if they are at all uncomfortable and you will be right there. It is not a failure and shouldn't be considered and embarrassment as it is your job as a parent to keep them safe.
4) Explain that however much money they have is what they have and you are not an ATM. If they want to eat they can eat but they have to make sure they still have enough to complete their shopping. Make it clear that if they have $50 they can't get there best friend and $45 shirt.
5) Tell your child exactly what time you are going to meet back at the agreed upon spot. I would even set the alarm on the cell phone for about 10 minutes prior to the meeting time as a reminder. If they aren't there, then not only do you blow that cell phone off the hook but you have them paged over the intercom. Any teen will be on time if they believe they might be publicly embarrassed.
Go ahead and give you child some wings while keeping them on a lease. Both the good and the bad experiences will help them grow into productive adults. Every lesson is a lesson learned and you have to give them the chances to learn their own lessons.
Learn more about this author, Elaine M. Healy.
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No
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.
Learn more about this author, Roger Crain.
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