Teen FAQ

You and your parents are soooo lucky to have a close and strong relationship. I think it is this relationship that will help all of you come up with some family rules that will be a little looser. A couple of suggestions. First, ask for a family meeting and ask that your parents hear you out before replying. Start by telling them that they are the best parents and you love them and that you are asking for a little more input on some of the family rules. You might tell them that you value the relationship with them and never want to be in a position where you feel like you have to lie or cover something up, but to have a strong relationship you have to trust that they will hear you out - even when what you want is very different from what they want. You are getting older and need some compromising. Ask that they hear you out, and then go away, talk, think, maybe talk to others - doctor, counselor, priest or minister, rabbi, and that the family set a second meeting to talk about what you have proposed. Second, outline what you have below, and maybe with your sisters make some concrete suggestions - only time with groups, never without a parent that your parents trust, never with a boy alone anywhere -- car, room, yard -- parent always know where you are and who you are with, etc... End with the fact that you love them. Take a deep breath, and if this does not work, ask if you can see a therapist, someone who you can trust and talk to about growing up. Good luck!