How far would you go...

[RitaZ.]

to separate your child from "lousy" friends?

I was talking to my stylist yesterday and she was telling me about the problems that she is having with her almost 18 yr. old. Her son has always been a really good kid, mature and responsible. He made new friends in 11th grade and she thinks these friends are a really bad influence on him.

I asked her about high school and if it's any better than middle school. My son will be starting HS in August and I'm starting to get nervous (just don't tell him that).

Which got me to thinking... As a parent, how far would you go to separate your child from "bad" friends? It's so easy to control them when they are young, but when you are dealing with an almost grown man, it's a lot harder.

 

[Jeafl]

I have been lucky so far that my kids have chosen friends that I like,

Having said that, I think lately that telling them I don't approve of something or someone is the quickest way to get them to stick with that person or thing. I try to not come out and say I don't like something and just hope that they eventually come to the same conclusion on their own.

Raising teens is the hardest thing I have ever done, or probably will do.

 

[RitaZ.]

Jill~ Thanks for replying.

You know, when they are newborns we worry about different things... "Will he/she ever sleep through the night?" When they are toddlers, "Is he/she going to be the only child in diapers at the high school graduation?" And so on... The real test comes when they are teens, that's when the real worrying starts.

I know what you're saying about telling them that they shouldn't do something, which will guarantee that they'll do it. My stylist has grounded her son indefinitely and has taken his car away from him, she has valid reasons for not wanting her son hanging out with the friends. It may seem extreme, but under the circumstances, I would probably do the same.

Why can't teens come with a foolproof manual?

 

[mommiepoppins]

i would leave the state!

 

[RitaZ.]

i would leave the state!

One of the my friends decided to sell her house for this reason. Her twins are causing her a lot of grief and she wants a change of environment for them.

 

[ohiominnie]

You know, when they are newborns we worry about different things... "Will he/she ever sleep through the night?" When they are toddlers, "Is he/she going to be the only child in diapers at the high school graduation?" And so on... The real test comes when they are teens, that's when the real worrying starts.

My wise grandma has a saying....

Little children, little problems.....big children, big problems.