Teen Son's Girlfriend Is Doing Drugs
Friday July 10, 2009
A mom seeks advice on our forum: My son is beside himself because his girlfriend drinks, smokes marijuana, and does ecstasy. He is against these activities and knows he cannot do them himself because of a heart condition. He loves her and is very concerned for her well-being and is also angry that she won't stop even though he has said he will break up with her. He asked me to call the police anonymously, which I did, but I don't think they'll do anything just on my anonymous tip. I would like to call her mother but the girl (who is 15) is a third-generation marijuana user and I'm not sure the parents or grandparents would take any action. Who can I call in this situation to help this girl confront her drug and alcohol problem?
Denise's thoughts: I commend you on calling the police. Something may not be done now, but it could help her in the long run. The important thing to remember is that your son trusted you and you were able to follow through for him. I agree that there isn't much you can do as far as calling her parents if they promote drug use in their home and I wouldn't recommend it.
I would suggest talking to your son about a tough choice he will have to make and stand by whichever choice he does make. If he does continue to see her, talk to him about what he is going to do to protect himself from becoming a drug user - because you love him and don't want to loose him to drugs. If he breaks up with her, be there for him to talk to and see if you can't drive him a movie with a group of friends that includes a few girls.
Asking our community: Have you had this experience? What would you do? Please share your thoughts, opinions and advice in the comments area.
Related Resources:
Thrifty Thursday: Recycle Old Jeans
Thursday July 9, 2009
Blue jeans, or any kind of denim pants, are useable long after your teen grows out of them. Besides being a strong soft cloth that makes excellent car washing rags - guess what my oldest teen is doing today - jeans can be made into a variety of
teen crafts. Here are few with step-by-step directions:
Follow the About.com Parenting & Family's Thrifty Thursday:
It's Time to Start Buckling Down for College Students
Wednesday July 8, 2009
While your teen may want to be wild and free for a week or so more, leaving for college is right around the corner and preparing for it should also be a priority. One way that will help with motivation and give your teen an edge this year is the book
How to Become a Straight-A Student. Now, do not turn away from this book if you feel there is no way your child will ever see an A in college. While the book helps students strive for that goal, it’s teachings on organization and time management will aid every student. I recommend this one highly and feel the author, Cal Newport, has done an excellent job.
More: The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College
Monday July 6, 2009
These summer activities for teens can be done individually, with friends or with the whole family. Each week has four different types of teen summer activities: Make This (Recipe), Craft This, Learn How and Get Out and Go! Each activity idea is fun for your teen. Check out
week seven's summer activities for teens now.
Teens Washing Their Own Laundry?
Friday July 3, 2009
From a mom on the forum: "How do people deal with teenagers who can't stand having you enter their rooms? Specifically, how does your family handle teenagers' dirty clothes? Do they manage to take care of doing their own laundry and washing it themselves, or do you have conflicts with them over this?"
Some advice given on the forum: "Our kids all started doing their own laundry around the age of 10 -12 ish. If they run out of clothes they know to wash them sooner. That doesn't mean that someone won't switch a load of laundry if asked and they are around." and "I don't mind including my kids' laundry when I do mine. It is hard to determine what is clean and what is dirty in DS's room so I usually don't do his. If I let him know that I am doing a particular type of load and he would like me to add his, he will gather his together. DD, on the other hand, prefers to not do her own. She is pretty good about getting her clothes into the hamper so I know what is dirty. Both are pretty good about switching loads when needed."
Asking our community of parents: How is your teen's laundry handled in your home? Please share any advice or experiences in the comments area.
Related Resources:
Thrifty Thursday: Teach Your Teens to Carpool
Thursday July 2, 2009
When teens start paying for their own gas, they will begin to start seeing the value in carpooling with a group of their friends, instead of driving everywhere alone. Suggest that your teen and his friends meet at one friend’s house for their Friday night excursions and only one or two does the driving - depending on how many teens are going. Switch off to give the responsibility of driving, and cost of the gas, to a different teen each week. Your teen will be saving at least $2.75 for every gallon of gas used and contributing their fair share when it is their turn. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.
On a side note: Stress that too many people in the car is not a good idea. Safety first!
Related Resources:
Follow the About.com Parenting & Family's Thrifty Thursday:
July 4th Fun for Teens
Wednesday July 1, 2009
Picnics with friends and family will abound this patriotic holiday weekend. Here are some resources that will make it fun for your kids and teens:
Mid-Summer Sleepover Party
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Is your teen missing their
friends? While summer is fun, school is the ultimate hangout for many teens and
their social life goes down the drain if they live too far out of town.
You can help teens keep in touch with their friends by offering to host a get-together. And if you're feeling vivacious, why not a
teen sleepover? Here are a few tips:
- Snacks and good food are always a must. Smoothies are a hit in the summertime.
- Want to keep the house clean? Set up tents in the backyard for the teen overnight.
- Activities for teens in the summer can be as simple as providing water balloons or other water game supplies. Ask your teen what they would like to do and offer a few ideas if they are unsure.
- All in all you want to help your teen have a fun time, but also a safe time. Be sure to talk to your teen about no alcohol or drugs being allowed at the sleep over.
- Last but not least, chaperon, but don't hover. Allow the teens to enjoy the time you have set up for them.
This post is part of the All About Parenting Blog Carnival for July, 2009, hosted by Jennifer O'Donnell's Parenting Tweens Blog.
The Internet Is Not Taking Over Traditional Media Among Teens
Tuesday June 30, 2009
According to findings in a Nielsen Co.
study, American teens spend more time glued to the television set then their computer screens. It said teenagers were more engaged than popularly believed with traditional media such as live television, radio and newspapers. The study went on to say that teens "embrace new media not at the cost of traditional media but in supplement to it."
I agree. My daughters love teen magazines as much as I did. They read books and watch their favorite shows on television too. Then they look up what theater their next favorite movie is going to be playing in on the Internet. I feel the computer just adds depth to the media we already use.
Please share your opinion in our comments area.
Related Resources:
Monday June 29, 2009
These summer activities for teens can be done individually, with friends or with the whole family. Each week has four different types of teen summer activities: Make This (Recipe), Craft This, Learn How and Get Out and Go! Each activity idea is fun for your teen. Check out
week six's summer activities for teens now.
