Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a parent of teenagers? I don't anymore! It's good most of the time, except when they decide to question the why's of not being able to do something. I used to think that my son's friends parents didn't worry or care much about their children. I learned after talking to their parents that a lot of it is, the kids just do what they want and mom and dad have no control, especially when mom and dad both work.
We had one of my sons friends that would never go home. He practically lived at our house until just a few years ago. Now he rarely comes here. They moved into a bigger home and he has grown up a bit. Now it's my sons turn to go to their house except that we have curfew. He has to be home by 11:00 on weekends and 10:00 on the weekdays. He doesn't like it because his friends don't have curfew. Actually his friends have curfew but the parents don't enforce it. It makes it rough at times, but now that he's almost 18 we are a little more lenient on the weekends and as long as he's home at midnight we're okay with that. It just amazes me as a parent how many parents just let their children run wild. We make it our son's choice to come home on time and if they are not here on time, there are consequences. Isn't that how the law works? I know that it's hard to enforce it if you're working all the time, but there are ways.
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Then there's my other son who is almost 16, who's friends have parents who care and are actively involved in their lives. Curfews are enforced and punishment is carried out to ensure their return around curfew. It's nice to have parents who care. The one thing I think is totally weird is that none of the parents are willing to pick their kids up. They must ride the bus to and from the activities and if they miss the last bus because they got lost in the corn maze, they run the risk of being late and being grounded. I feel that if my child calls and tells me they are ready to come home, that they got lost in the corn maze and missed the last bus that it is my duty to pick them up.
Maybe I'm too nice, but I figure if they were old enough to drive and had a car, they would be home on time. I feel that it's my responsibility to let them know that they matter to me. I don't know if that's the best way to handle things, but I hope it helps them.
Let me mention that I'm grateful that I live in a community that has a great bus system and it is free. Is does make it easier for my children to get places without me having to take them, and I'm grateful they don't mind using it. I love Logan and Cache Valley for this very reason. Everything is in walking and biking distance unless you miss the last bus to the area, then you're on your own. Things are always improving.
