Raising Teens: Get Advice Here!

[Cafe MichelleP]

Any mom who's done it will tell you: It's tough raising teens! And who better to offer advice on getting through the teen years than moms who've been there?!

We've selected the BEST answers to your most pressing teen questions, gathered from the experiences and opinions of moms like you. Find them right here!

TEEN SOCIAL LIFE

Teens & Parties:

• Should I let my child go to teen parties? 

Teens & Dating:

• When should I let my teen start dating? 
• When should I let my teen go out on a date unsupervised?
• What should I do if I don't approve of my teen's boyfriend or girlfriend? 
• What do I do if my teen says he is gay? 

Teens & Friends:

• What should I do if I don't approve of my teen's friends?
• What should I do if my teen doesn't have any friends? 

Teens & Social Skills:

• What can I do if my teen is being bullied?

TEEN HEALTH & SAFETY 

Doctor Visits & Illnesses:

• Should I get my teen vaccinated for HPV?

Teen Diet & Body Image:

• How can I teach my junk-eating teen to eat healthily?
• How can I promote a healthy body image in my teen?
• How can I tell if my teen has an eating disorder?

Teen Emotional Health:

• Does my teen need counseling?
• How do I know if my teen is depressed?

Teens & Sex: 

• Should I provide birth control for my teen?
• My teen is pregnant. How do I help her make the right choices?
• What should I do if I discover my teen has been having sex? 

Teen Drinking, Drugs, & Smoking: 

• What should I do if I catch my teen smoking?
• What should I do if I catch my teen using drugs?
• How can I explain the dangers of alcohol to my teen?
• How do I keep my teen from smoking?
• How can I keep my teen from using drugs?
• How do I know if my teen is using drugs?
• What should I do if I catch my teen drinking? 

Teens & Sleep:

• What should I do if my teen is sleeping too much?

TEEN ACTIVITIES

Teens & Driving: 

• How can I teach my kid safe driving habits? 

Teens & Work: 

• At what age should teens start working? 

Holidays & Traditions with Teens: 

• What should I do if my teen wants to change religions?

Teen Extracurricular Activities: 

• How can I help my teen balance activities and school work?

TEENS & FAMILY LIFE

Relating to your Teen:

• How can I get my teen to open up to me?
• How do I deal with my teen's attitude?
• How can I stop fighting with my teen?

TEEN BEHAVIOR

Teen Discipline:

• How should I punish my teen?

Teen Appearance & Attire: 

• What should I do if I hate the way my teen dresses?

TEENS & EDUCATION

Teens & School: 

• How do I get my teen to do their homework?
• How can I incentivize my teen to get good grades?
• How do I get my child serious about education? 

Teen College Prep:

• What if my teen doesn't want to go to college?
• How can I prepare my teen for college?

TEENS & TECHNOLOGY

Teens and Computers, Email, & Social Sites: 

• Should I know my teen's passwords?
• How do I keep my teen safe on the internet?
• How do you control how much personal information your teen shares online?
• Is it okay to read my teen's e-mail?

Teens & Cell Phones:

• When should I let my child get a cell phone?
• What kinds of cell phone rules should I have for my teen?
• How can I limit my teen's texting? 

Find more advice from moms, for moms here: 

• Pregnanacy Advice
• Baby Advice
• Toddler Advice
• Tween Advice

[dandylynes]

Thanks, I'm sure I will be referring back to this periodically

[spinmom13]

 These are great! My daughter and I are both already in counseling and this will help me from different perspectives.Thanks! 

[roschelle11]

my daughter told me that she have sex and i dont know what to do. i want to scream and cry all at once.

[Shopsha0911]

Wow, this is a great list can't wait to get through it. 

[motherof3_1491]

im sorry......the best thing that i woul recommend now that you know, just provide her with more information as well as protection. im sure you dont want to be having any grandkids soon. she might be getting advice from kids her age who might not be as educated about sex, and you will be able to give her better information

[savingtheworld]

Daughter wants belly pierced? Ok she makes good grades etc. She just turned 15 was living with dad now lives with me, I lived a little over an hour away an she didn't want to change schools, so I bought a house in her school zone...now demands every thing, doesn't want a permit or a job but money's me to death..she's leaving in the morning to go to Florida with a friend,but I told her I didn't have it in my budget, so she's going empty handed? Wich I think is rude, now wants a belly ring?

[AllieRambles]

These are amazing references.  Thanks!

[meanestmother]

i joined this cafe mom to see if other parents can give me advise on my 13 year old boy watching porn and masterbating, i understand it is normal but i think he is doing it more frequently then he should

 

[02nana07]

 This is very helpful THANKS for taking the time to organize this

[Cafe AmyS]

Have you or his father spoken with him about it?  

My older son didn't really make it obvious that this might have been going on and I haven't yet had to deal with it with my younger son.

Quoting meanestmother:

i joined this cafe mom to see if other parents can give me advise on my 13 year old boy watching porn and masterbating, i understand it is normal but i think he is doing it more frequently then he should