Congratulate me! My 17-year-old HS Junior......

[XNASA]

Is making a real effort to quit smoking.

And I haven't even had to speak to a policeman in nearly 4 months!!!

[miss_kitty]

1. I hope it's not

The Calm Before The Storm!

:evilgrin:

[Maat]

2. Congrats!

This retired social worker is laughing. Maybe he's "turning the corner (growing up)." Will wonders never cease.

I have an 8-year-old spunky little princess. Please tell me I'm going to survive that teenager-thing. Of course, the signs are ominous. Last weekend, I remember hearing, "Party's at my house." Then a bunch of 8-year-olds were in my pool (fortunately, I was there supervising by the time they hit the water).

[XNASA]

4. I don't think there's any recipe for success.

You just have to hold on, try to keep them heathy and wait.

He seemed to grow up a lot actually after he and I took a trip to the West Coast together over the Holidays. Just he and I driving around SoCal for a few days. It made a difference.

[Maat]

8. O.K. A trip together - that sounds perfect.

Actually, I take her to all of the local "Democracy for America" meetups, etc.

And she and I went to Arizona to campaign for Kerry.

She loved every minute of the trips.

Good idea that bonding (if you don't kill each other along the way).

I think trips help them "step outside the box," which is a good thing in terms of the stage in which they find themselves.

Good luck!

[DebinTx]

3. Congrats to both of you!

I have an 18 yr. old and a 16 yr. old. Been through the smoking, drinking, drugs thing too.

Just keep telling them that you're not turning them loose with the car until you know absolutely for sure (proof required, over time) that you can trust them not to do those things. They cannot bear the thought of you driving them to all of their activities where their friends might see you (oh the horror!!).

[XNASA]

7. I haven't even had to resort to that threat yet.

The laws in Illinois are quite strict re: getting you DL as a 16 or 17 y.o.

Although his grades are getting better, he still doesn't qualify under state laws.

[leftofthedial]

5. knock on wood!

Success is survival when it come to teenagers and their parents alike

[madrchsod]

6. how many tickets?

the cops around here for a few years were handing them out like candy but now they have switched to beer party busts. oh yes the cops also released the names of the streets where all the druggies live. front page news-drug houses and teen beer parties! small town america is just grand

[XNASA]

9. He doesn't drive.

:shrug: