and the basis of why they’re going to end up being good and happy people…because they have people in their lives who just care about them and want to understand them and want them to be happy and successful.

That’s so important to people…we want to be cared for and uplifted, and care for and uplift others. It’s the most basic of needs.

Like meli said already, this is a really sweet entry. I’m 100% positive your kids really appreciate you trying to support them into doing the right thing. <3

They probably realize your efforts to trust them, and therefore trust you, too! =)

you’re doing just fine…

If you’re communicating with your teens like that then chances are they’re listening and respecting you. I think the most important thing a parent can do is spend time with their teen. Taking inexpensive family outings, having movie nights or beach days, go to a sporting event, or get out and play a sport together. There are many ways that parents can stay involved in their teens lives without being overbearing. I think another great thing to helping teens develop essential skills and build character is to discuss things with them… ANYTHING! Be it a personal story or wrong doing comitted at work by someone. Let them know how you feel about different issues… both moral and current events in general.

Give them the trust they desperatly want and need so long as they deserve it but also knowing when to put the foot down and say, “No, I’m sorry as your parent I cannot allow this… as I could never allow something that is not good for you or could compromise your safety” Compromise with your kids… and try to think of ways they could still have the freedoms they want yet remain safe. Teenage years are difficult I know… as that’s the age I teach. However, I can honestly say that just by being concerened and being active in their life you are making a huyge positive impact. As a teacher, it is plain for me to see the students in my room whom have parents that care versus the ones who have parents that don’t seem to care or discipline them at all. The ones with parents whom are active in their lives are much more polite, respectful, and have better developed personalities and judgement skills. Those are just my personal opinions based on what I’ve noticed.

Keep up the good work! Our world needs more parents like you.

I’m 50 years old and pretty sure I engaged in a whole lot wilder behavior than my own children.

You don’t believe me? Okay, then….

I remember driving drunk as could be with my best friend around and around one of those circles in the middle of multiple roads…at about 3 in the morning. Thank goodness there was no traffic.

I remember being in the car with my brother and best friend as we sped over a bridge in the middle of the night, drunk, with the headlights off.

I remember dancing till the middle of the night at a bar, completely loaded, with my high school boyfriend. How in the world did we get in?

I remember smoking what I thought was marijuana before a concert, only to discover that it was apparently dusted with something else. The tipoff came with the funny colors that pulsated with the beat of the music and the fact that my heart rate became almost unbearable.

That was high school, my dear…the world of a girl in Catholic girl’s school. And I was one of the “good” kids. But it was the 1970s, drugs were rampant, and I thought I was doing well to only drink.

Fortunately, I burned out of that phase by the time I went to college, and had a really good college boyfriend to settle me down.

No wonder I worry about my kids so much!

You have a lot of goals I like, but I especially like this one. (I may adopt it myself) You have very nice kids.
We have 4 boy’s in all. Two are in their 20’s. (My step sons) The younger two are a very soon to be 13 year old, and a few months shy of 15 year old. It’s so easy to fall into a routine of seemingly “just expectations”. You know, you get home from work and start dinner, the kids get home, and we need them to get right on their home work, then dinner, then it’s time to clean up, and finish home work, then on to what the evening holds for us. By the end of the week we could all use some quality time. I’m trying to spend a little more time on the lighter side.
My husband is on a hunting trip this week, so the three of us spent the weekend doing some fun things together. It felt great to enjoy each other.