by Anna Johnson

Created on: June 01, 2008

Teenagers are not doing anything new that the generation before them did not try.
The real problem with what is happening today is the lack of respect they have for each other and human life. The consumption of the drugs and alcohol has gotten worse teens
are able to get excess to better drugs and alcohol.

Parents you cannot leave you teenager at home and expect them not to pull a risky business. They are going to because you are not there and they have the whole weekend to do damage. Allowing any teen to stay home by themselves unattended is asking for a party in your home.

The parents are not checking out the parties that they are going to now days.
It is more on the lines of what time is it over and be home at whatever time the curfew is.
No fact checking is giving your teen the golden ticket to try anything and everything they can get there hands on. Not meeting someone that your child is getting in the car with and going anywhere with is crazy.

No you will not be able to catch every little thing that they do a few things will slide through the cracks. But a little less lax parental control is what is required to keep these kids on the right track. Laying a solid foundation with your child so that they will know what is acceptable and what is not sets boundaries for them.

Can you keep them from sneaking to do something's if you do not have eyes in the back of your head and a crystal ball no of course not. For instance, I feared what my parents would say if I came in after curfew or got a bad grade. This does not happen any more parents are just not keeping track and staying on top of there children.

If you allow your child to go to a house party do, you think you should check to see if the parents will be home. Allowing them to go to a club like setting where you know older people will come to sell drugs to them. Maybe checking out where they are asking you to go is a good idea. Sometimes a little detective work might keep your child from getting addicted to drugs or alcohol. One day your child is wearing clothes that are neat and presentable the next they look like a hurricane hit them. This might be a good time to step in and say I have noticed a few things what is going on with you.

Take it from one who knows if my parents gave me even a little room I would do whatever I wanted. Whether it was drinking or drugs or partying till dawn dad was the softy mom was the enforcer. So when mom went anywhere I was out the door doing whatever I wanted to do. Parents have to be on the same page and be serious with your children. You may not save all of the children because some are just going to do what they want to do. But if you can just save one from alcohol and drug abuse you are on the right track. There is not a parenting guide or a how to on this stuff you just have to know your child and also be able to tell when you need to step in.

They are still in your care and they are not grown so they still need you to lay down the law at times. If they are hanging out with kids older then them ask yourself why are they out with this person. If the older person does not go to school that is a red flag that something is not right. If there grades are slipping severely speak with the teachers to see if they are showing up to class. Ask what are they doing in the classroom and are they turning in the homework assignments and passing tests. Alcohol and drugs show themselves in some way you have to pay attention to the signs.

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