luvyrpet
enthusiast
Posts: 2104
Loc: Allen
Reg: 09-11-05
|
06-27-08 02:05 PM - Post#51293
In response to wetvet
MailBox, Yep, just went to Hobby Lobby and grabbed some big wooden boxes with a henged lid on it. Painted it their favorite color(s), added a large (already painted) critter on the top with velcro. When there is mail, the critter is on top, when there isn't any mail, the critter is inside.
I think the girls talk to dad a lot more now because they are older - and he now works from home. They have the WII, so they chat while playing. I was a SAHM for most of their life, but because I am gone on and off most days now for work, I don't get the 'first hand' gossip, but we always talk as a family and get to be involved in all the discussions. Even if it is boys, boobs, and ‘other’ stuff .. LOL
|
mspam3
enthusiast
Posts: 2380
Loc: Allen TX
Reg: 03-10-07
|
06-27-08 03:58 PM - Post#51323
In response to luvyrpet
My daughter and I (she's 18) have always had a very open relationship. She was able to come to me with everything. Some stuff I didn't agree with, but I just let her talk. When she told me her best friend was having sex with a 22 year old, we discussed it calmly. Instead of going off the deep end with "OMG!", I asked her if there was anything I could do to help. So by keeping my reactions under control, she knew she could come to me with anything. What I really wanted to do was call that girl's parents!
As far as dating, once she was in 9th grade she started "dating" a guy from class. We have a big entertainment room with alot of stuff to do so our house was always the 'hang out place". So it would be either groups of kids or just her and her boyfriend and we never had any problems.
When the driving started, at first we said they had to stay in Allen and off 75. Then we moved on to driving on the frontage road to get to Cinemark theater. And constantly calling her on her cell phone.
|
mspam3
enthusiast
Posts: 2380
Loc: Allen TX
Reg: 03-10-07
|
06-27-08 04:16 PM - Post#51333
In response to luvyrpet
When our daughter was in 9th grade, there was a place called "The Door" down on lower Greenville or somewhere that became very popular with the teens. It isn't in a very good location. So when she and her boyfriend, who was able to drive, wanted to go there my husband was a little leary. He didn't know of the place but knew the neighborhood and knew it wasn't good. So the only way we let them go is if dad drove them. So they get there and daughter tells dad he can leave and he wouldn't. He sat out in the car in the heat of the night until it was time to come home.
As most of us know, parenting is a full-time job, but they never tell you about all the overtime you have to put in as well.
|
civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9574
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
|
06-27-08 04:32 PM - Post#51344
In response to mspam3
Good for y'all! Even if you feel safe about their companion, they're BOTH fair game for evil intenders! I see it often enough with all the "mickeys" or date rape drugs out there. It's wise to teach them not to partake of drinks and never leave the beverage unattended!!!
|
luvyrpet
enthusiast
Posts: 2104
Loc: Allen
Reg: 09-11-05
|
06-27-08 06:56 PM - Post#51380
In response to mspam3
I agree!!
I read somewhere how much a SAHM makes in a year .. I guess I could always buy some bonds with that hu?
You're right, I do hope that both my girls will continue to look up to me, and we can still talk about everything.
|
wetvet
enthusiast
Posts: 582
Loc: Allen
Reg: 02-26-07
|
06-27-08 07:51 PM - Post#51393
In response to luvyrpet
If the kids would stick to the script we would be okay wouldn't we?
Got Water? We do!!
www.thewetvet.com
Water now available for pick up at 705 N. Greenville, Allen
A Veteran Owned and Operated Company |
|
MsAlyce
enthusiast
Posts: 4392
Loc: Allen,Texas,USA
Reg: 04-03-04
|
06-27-08 08:19 PM - Post#51402
In response to wetvet
Yes, but they keep ad-libbing! 
"Mom" to 80+ children @
Exclusively Before & After, Inc.
972/390-7162
alleneba.com |
|
luvyrpet
enthusiast
Posts: 2104
Loc: Allen
Reg: 09-11-05
|
06-27-08 10:32 PM - Post#51420
In response to wetvet
YEP!
I forgot to read the fine print when I signed up for this job .. LOL
|
civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9574
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
|
06-28-08 12:01 AM - Post#51431
In response to MsAlyce
And I don't know why they ad-lib, 'cause they "know it all now anyway", right?
|
mspam3
enthusiast
Posts: 2380
Loc: Allen TX
Reg: 03-10-07
|
06-28-08 03:54 PM - Post#51509
In response to civicminded
Yes, they think they know it all. But it doesn't end after they leave home the first time. My daughter just graduated and moved out to live in an apartment and go to college. Great kid but always has been too independent in her thinking. So she saved her money to go to the AIKON convention in Dallas a few weeks ago. (It's a convention where people dress up as anime characters which I think is silly). She overspent and ended up with enough money for rent but none for food. I closed "mom's pantry" and she had to eat Ramen noodles for 2 weeks until her next paycheck came. Of course I did invite her over for dinner twice each week. I am not THAT bad of a mom! So yet another lecture on actions and consequences. She now has a system in place for all expenses, saving and entertainment.
We all try to teach our kids these things at home, but sometimes they only learn when it finally becomes a "hands on" experience of their own.  
|
civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9574
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
|
06-28-08 04:52 PM - Post#51516
In response to mspam3
True, true, life is the best teacher sometimes. Hard in some cases, but a real eye opener too.
Kinda related, and it may be a new thought for some. Be sure and make kids feel it's OK to call for help or a ride from a situation, rather than than trying to get by on their own. We want them to manage some things, but others still need intervention to prevent disaster. My story about the teenager and the seatbelt is sorta like this. My friend (the girl's Mom) went outside to the accident scene to help (she's a medic). She knew the truck and driver, and was comforting the driver as local responders did their work. Then the young driver called out the daughter's name...only then did Mom realize her 15 year old had been in this disaster! It was too bad to comment on here, but point being, they need to know they can confide in or call and keep parents in their closest circle.
|
brewmeister
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 10-30-11
|
10-30-11 11:25 PM - Post#141349
In response to civicminded
Ok, I'll just start by saying that I myself am a teenager. I'm a 16 year old guy at Allen High School. There are some legitimately good ideas that some of you have posted. The mail box? That's great, it really is. But seriously, some of you are being ridiculous. Nothing actually serious happens until high school. If you're kids are in middle school and involved with anything bad, you would know, unless you don't care, which you obviously do, since you're on this forum. And, since you care enough to be on this forum, I'm going to venture to say that you've tried to raise your kids right. And if you've put in the effort, they won't do anything too stupid. Some of you, restricting dating until like 17? That, I have to say, is overdoing it. Kids should be allowed to start dating in middle school, high school at the latest. I'm not saying that you have to push them out the door with a box of condoms and a bag full of weed, but come on. You guys are a bit too suspicious of kids. We're not as bad as you'd think. If you've raised your kids right, they won't drink or smoke or have sex for a long time. So relax, let go of your children, and let them have some fun.
|
pup
enthusiast
Posts: 3933
Reg: 03-29-06
|
10-31-11 07:48 AM - Post#141360
In response to brewmeister
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years. ~Mark Twain
|
MarkH
enthusiast
Posts: 284
Loc: Allen
Reg: 04-18-00
|
10-31-11 10:57 AM - Post#141368
In response to brewmeister
Thank you for sharing your point of view.
|
Tough 75002
enthusiast
Posts: 744
Reg: 11-17-04
|
10-31-11 11:47 AM - Post#141370
In response to brewmeister
Why is a sixteen year old kid using the screen name Brewmeister?
Seriously?
Back to the OP, we have to be strict with you kids because you do not listen or use common sense. There is no way I would let a middle schooler go out on a date.
As much that goes on at that high school, I do not want my high school students going out on dates.
I think Brewmeister, completely solidifies the case for no dating before you are 45.
|
pup
enthusiast
Posts: 3933
Reg: 03-29-06
|
10-31-11 02:24 PM - Post#141378
In response to Tough 75002
Why is a sixteen year old kid using the screen name Brewmeister?
Could be he brews a mean sarsaparilla.
|
brewmeister
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 10-30-11
|
10-31-11 03:53 PM - Post#141391
In response to Tough 75002
or did you consider the fact that it's a joke on my name and not at all related to alcohol?
|
ReadingRainbow
enthusiast
Posts: 773
Loc: Allen
Reg: 10-19-07
|
11-27-11 02:52 AM - Post#142708
In response to brewmeister
15 to 16 year olds will do stupid stuff no matter how closely their parents watch/care for them. My parents were (and are) awesome. But I lost my virginity at 14 and got pregnant at 16 anyway, and my son (who they raised) rolled out of a moving car and died at 15 anyway. So at no point should a parent assume they have done enough by being good parents. Kids are stupid and stupid can happen faster than one could ever imagine. "Expect the worst and pray for the best" is how I'll deal with my daughter when she's a teen.
| Want to change your life? Visit www.acocares.org and learn how YOU can change your life by helping others! |
|
ReadingRainbow
enthusiast
Posts: 773
Loc: Allen
Reg: 10-19-07
|
11-27-11 02:55 AM - Post#142709
In response to ReadingRainbow
I thought I remembered replying to this before so I reread the thread and I had. I have to point out now that my son died 1 year and 3 months to the day after that post so my views naturally have changed.
| Want to change your life? Visit www.acocares.org and learn how YOU can change your life by helping others! |
Edited by ReadingRainbow on 11-27-11 03:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
|
AllenConsumer
member
Posts: 75
Reg: 07-06-11
|
11-30-11 09:59 AM - Post#142827
In response to ReadingRainbow
Mistakes and lessons will happen and they need to but as a parent you can help control their environment. You can teach them young to make decisions early in their life so they don't have to make them when they are teenagers or adults. Most parents are lazy, want to be a friend, want to be cool, and don't want to be patient or be willing to sacrifice for the better of the child. Letting your kid date just one person when they are a freshman or even a sophmore is asking for problems. Group dating, taking the time to meet the kids, discuss with other parents they'll be with, etc. is necessary for the kids to slowly be introduced to the social scene. You stick a kid with another and they follow their hormones and they'll be pregnant by 16 or 17, or you'll see your kid get too deep into a situation they can't quite control.
You as a parent CAN control the environment. Don't ever give me a lame excuse that kids will be kids. NO. Parents need to OWN UP, do the right thing, and exercise good judgment. Teach the kids when they're young what types of situations they'll find themselves in. If you don't, you're not parenting. And remember, you were a teenager once. Draw from that experience of those of others you witnessed. Be bold, be brave, be open, and stick to your guns. You ARE the parent.
And don't dare 'expect the worst and hope for the best' or that mindset will come through the parenting. You expect a high standard, the best they can be, and high morals and you'll get it. I'd take my chances with 'expecting the best' than with 'expecting the worst'. Take charge, be strong, and it'll come through and that's who they'll become.
|
