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I assume there is a lot that moms of younger children can learn from moms of teens. So, moms of teens, please share your thoughts and lessons with us so moms of younger children can be prepared.

I have a 15 year old boy who thinks he knows everything. I have a 7 year old also, and am hoping he doesn't think the same thing when he's 15, although he's already showing some signs. My teen says I'm too strict, but he still loves me, and said he understands why I am the way I am. I guess that's good?

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Originally posted by Dave (admin):
I assume there is a lot that moms of younger children can learn from moms of teens. So, moms of teens, please share your thoughts and lessons with us so moms of younger children can be prepared.

I am the mom of two teenagers, one is 19 and one is 16. The advise I would give to any one is to keep your kids involved in things after school. Thats the difference between our two kids. One has not been involved and the other has. The one not involved has had alot of peer pressure type of trouble. The one involved has not had any of those kind of troubles. The one involved has also realized the trouble is not worth it because he sees what it has done to the family as a whole. Hope this helps someone out!

I have a fifteen year old son and I think one of the best pieces of advice I could offer - get them into a church program early. Sunday school, VBS, youth groups all build a strong foundation. We rely on these values everyday!

I totally agree with keeping them involved with things after school, and with school. My teen is in Band, and even though it can be tiring sometimes taking him back and forth, I know that he's in good hands, and is not getting into trouble. It has helped a lot to have him involved with a lot. It definitely keeps them out of trouble.

I am a mother of 8. My girls are 17, 13, 12 and 11. I can tell you that the best thing for my girls is to keep them involved in activities. The more structure they have the more socially acceptable I have found their behavior to be. They get annoyed with me at times because I am like a hawk. I want to meet friends and parents. I am relentless with questions and I have an open door policy on bedrooms. I do not take it to the extreme but I feel the more involved I stay in their lives, the less they will try to hide.

Jilly8, you sound a LOT like me with my teenage son! I ask lots of questions also, and have to meet and talk to everyone he wants to hang out with. I try to have his friends come over our house more than him go to their house, because I know not all parents are hawks like us. Hopefully they'll appreciate it one day.