Parents have Questions and Parents have Answers

~ Anonymous

I have a 14 year old that is becoming very defiant. So far her grades are decent b-c range (she doesn't have to try hard to make good grades). My problem is lack of respect but, mostly GUYS and sexual activity. We had an issue over the summer when she snuck off several times(had sex at least once). Legal action was taken against that 19 year old. For a few months we coasted along and thought maybe she'd learned a lesson BUT yesterday she slipped off before I came home from work with a boy (either 17 or 18) and came back with hickies. I'm hearing they had sex. What can I do? She has no phone, will have no company, will not go anywhere and I've told her not to even ask -- I'll tell her when I feel she is ready for restrictions to be lifted. I can NOT quit work. What do you do?? We've talked about STDs and also the reputation she is building but the behavior continues. My Christian friends tell me that I probably won't be a friend in her eyes for a long time. Teens say "you don't care and you don't listen". Their definition of caring seems to be giving them their way and there can be so little done with that perception.

posted by Faith  # 5:10 PM February 28, 2006