Hellobee Boards

I'm terrified. Both my husband and I were hellions as teenagers, so I'm totally prepared for my oldest to be like us (her personality is so inline with mine.) She's already super independent and I get glimpses of what she will be like as a teenager. I see lots of wine in my future.

@.twist.: This is my fear, the alcohol/parties (small town Midwest this is pretty much a given.) I'm not risking her drinking and driving and I plan to tell them very early the story about how DH lost his cousin/best friend due to drunk driving when they were in high school, it changed him. I just know how stupid I was back in my day thinking I was invincible.

Yes, I am worried. We have friends with middle school aged kids and they are sooooo rude and disrespectful - even in public in front of other adults they know.

My parents were ridiculously strict when I was a teen and I hated it but as a parent I find myself pretty strict and disciplined too (and DH agrees) so I suspect we will have some disagreements for sure.

Randomly, one thing I learned and respect from that crazy show Chrisley Knows Best is that whenever he or his wife are yelling or disciplining the kids, they almost never end a conversation without looking at the kids dead in the eye and saying "I love you." Or love is always included in the conversation. They also often hugs them afterwards. That was one thing my parents often never verbalized with their discipline even though it was implied I'm sure. I want to get in the habit starting now to always couple disciplining and rules with love in verbal and physical ways like hugs and what not.

@HLK208: DH's family has a history of substance abuse. This scares the crap out of me because we have/are living it. I want to avoid that at all costs, but I don't know how!

@LuLu Mom: Even just explaining not getting into a vehicle with someone who's had too much. It's not easy to tell how much someone else has had to drink when you're loaded too. Ugh. I don't even like thinking about it!