any tips on raising a teenage boy?..

I'm checking it out.  My son's getting to the age now where he will likely start testing the waters.  I like to stay two steps ahead at all times.

Ok.. I don't post often, but felt I had to.  First, I am the mom of 6, Grandmom of 2, and I'm 40.  Kids are 21, 19,18,15,15,8 and babies are 1.5 and 6 months.  G-kids now live w/me because their mom (my oldest) was involved with a not so nice guy. (no need to go further).  Anyways, to be blunt...WHO'S HOUSE DOES HE LIVE IN??? You set rules...be prepared to stand your ground and don't give in.  I have a few golden rules with kids..and it has worked.  1. Love them unconditionally. 2. Live WITH your children, not FOR your children. 3. Pick your battles...does it really matter what color hair they have? 4. CONSISTANCY 5. Your children don't have to like you, they just need to love and respect you.  Like will come later when they are older. Last-When all else fails, pray, give it up to your Higher Power, and eventually...it'll all work out. Have a great day all!!

You are so right! In all my ramblings about The Parent Project I forgot to mention the major point of it all - daily reminders of your love and affection and praise for your children.

Try to hang in there.  I don't have any kids.  But my sister does.  So, she works and slaves and does without so they can go to college....her daughter graduated with 2 degrees in 4 years.  Then promptly told her mother that she and Ryan were 'pregnant' and they wanted to be parents.  My sister nearly died....o my o my o my....what will everyone think? She's ruined her life!  Whatever will we do?   I told her to chill.  We'll get through it.  Shan is now a Mom....and a good one....and look what we have to play with..... Life works out.  Just love em and do the best you can. Hugs Charlie

Welcome to my world!!!! My sons are 20 and 21. Since I'm a smart ICU RN I told my husband this was my thought on what to do with teenage boys. Put them in a chemically induced coma...after about 6 months wake them up and see how smart they are. If they seem fairly intelligent...allow them to stay awake...if not BACK in COMA they go!!!

I worked in the ER for many years.  The ONLY shifts the entire year I would do anything to avoid were prom night.  Please parents, think carefully before making "driving yourself to prom" a special treat.  If your kid isn't drinking, someone else's kid in another car is.  Young kids do not have the driving experience to deal with lots of drunks on the road.  A limo is cheap insurance that while the other guys might be driving drunk, your kid is with a sober driver than has plenty of driving experience.  I don't say this to scare anyone, but if it does, better that than the possible bad outcome.

Great point! My kids got this poem in their teen class and i think every parent of teenagers and all teens should read it (I cried myself sick): "Death of an Innocent" http://echoesofwhy.typepad.com/echoesofwhy/2008/03/i-hope-th is-h-3.html

Don't remind me - mine is 10 and the thought of him driving scare's me to death!  I truly believe that every new driver needs the following story put in their hands and they can't have their driver's license until you're sure they've read it. http://mrmom.amaonline.com/PleaseGod.htm

Girl, I feel ya! I have a 17 year old son. upper 3% of his class and WAY too smart for his own good. Today is his last day of school. He came home with his friend and the friend's gf. I warned them all that this is going to be a crazy night and they have to be VERY CAREFUL.

And to think, really, I was a LOT worse when I was a teen in the late 70s. I had a 64.5 Mustang and could cram 6 other people in it. Mom/Dad did not have me for dinner ONCE in the summer between my Jr and Sr. years.