Question for 12-21 year olds only, please!?

Question

One of the biggest issues I keep hearing is that parents need to be more involved with their kids to help them avoid drugs, alchohol, pregnancy, dropping out of school, and keeping out of trouble with the law.

From your teenage point of view (or just barely out of the teenaged years). What can parents do to help you stay in school and become successful?

Answer 1

Basically, mine neglected all those issues, and I tried my hardest to prove to them that I was worthy of their pride. Finished high school Magna *** Laude, and I'm currently on the Dean's List at my University. Never been arrested, and I'm on a first name basis with all the police officers in my area... I don't know why I worked out the way I did; I suppose their negligence kept my head in the books to try to win their approval?

Answer 2

I am well over twenty-one, but could not resist responding to your question. I hope you are not too offended.

Children 12-young adults 21 living at home can not answer this question as to what they need. That is the whole point in parenting.

It is good to hear what they think, however they have not developed nor had the life skills and experience to adequately answer.

That is like asking a three year old, "Do they want vegetables?"

Answer 3

Well i'm 18 yrs. old. my family sent me 3 hours away from them to this place called job corps. i turned 17 up here and iturned 18 yrs up here. i wasn't doing good in school and i was cutting alot and everything was bad. I became rebellious because they trapped me in the house and didn't ever let me go down stairs to hang out for a few hours with my friends knowing that i would come back on time, so what i did was i took my school time as a chill time and went to there house to hang out and play games and just have fun. I always wanted my mom to be my mom but also be my friend. I wanted to tell her when i lost my virginity i wanted to tell her alot of stuff but i couldn't because i knew she would be highly upset. Now i have my high school diploma and i'm starting college next week and earning my assiociates degree in crimnial justice and then going for my bachlor's. So All i really need was some freedom and some loving and support from my family and i wouldn't have gotten sent to this place. But right now i'm doing good. I'm not saying alot of freedom and space but sometimes it's the littlest things that make a big difference. Thank you Lu-Lu

Answer 4

My parents started to let me taste alcohol when I was 15, and they let me have a little bit once a while at home. They taught me to be responsible when drinking, so before I turn 21 I have no desire to snick out and drink since I can get it at home.

I never have desire on smoking or drugs. Dropping out of school is a dumb thing to do coz I care more about my future!

Answer 5

http://360.yahoo.com/doyle_cat This girl just started answering questions on her blog. Her first ever answer I think will help you a lot. She works with kids full time, and shares the ways that work best for her in relating to kids as they address issues like drugs. It takes about 4 minutes to read, but it's good.

Answer 6

Parents should know the kind of kids their children hang out with. One's who have a strong character, and are not dumb enough to smoke thinking it'll impress girls. Relations with the opposite gender should be casual, never get involved till you are mature enough ( that means no GF's or BF's til 20's). You might not agree with me, but parents who teach this to their kids have nothing to worry abt....seriously, it works. Parents should tell their kids to pursue their dreams after getting a college degree, so that they'll have something to depend on if things dont work out.

Answer 7

I am an 18 year old female. I would first of all like to apologize for the sh***y answers you've recieved so far. "Drink and smoke with the kids at home?" WTF? Absolutely not. I have recently graduated from high school, and am starting college in less than a week. I have never done drugs. I have had alcohol, and I've tried smoking. The best thing that my parents did for me was to be an example. They never hid their past. They told me everything they used to do (my dad was a major alcoholic) and how glad they are that they stopped. They always encouraged me, and always supported me. They were never hypocrytical. I knew that they would be dissapointed if I were to do drugs, drink, etc., and I didn't want to deal with that. As far as school goes, they always pushed me, but not to a breaking point. They let me know that they knew how hard I was working, and how proud they were of me. They always talked to me. They made sure that I knew that I would end up in a dead end job if I did not finish school, and they gave me examples of people that I know so this became more real to me than jsut hearing them say it. I think the most important thing to remember is that your kids will mess up. They will try some sort of drugs/alcohol/smoking type of things. They will ditch school. They will probably fail a test, or maybe a class. What you have to do is make sure that they know this is not okay, punish them, but let them know that 1) you still love them and 2) try to make sure they understand WHY it's not okay; how messed up their life could be if they keep drinking, or if they don't graduate. If they understand why, and they know that they have to do it for themselves, not for you (you've already lived your life and suceeded or falied according to how you dealt with these issues, you're still going to love them no matter what they choose to do, this is all about them and their future) then it will be a survival thing. Push them, but not too hard. Remember, they are still kids, and they do need to have fun. Put boundaries on when they can go out, etc, but do let them live. Trust is very important. And don't lecture them. Although my parents always told me about their lives, it was always in a "I want you to know about me and my life" way; very casual, and from a very young age. It very rarely felt like "I'm telling you this bc I think you're going to do it and I want to scare you into being good," and that made me listen to it a lot more than if I felt like they were lecturing me. I hope this helps, and good luck. Also, I hope this is not out of line, thank you for taking the time to ask "kids" their opinions, and just for taking the time to find out how to help your kids. I definetely want kids one day (hopefully not too soon! :/) but the very idea of facing these problems scares me to death! We need more competent parents who try to help their kids, even if if they need to try unconventional ways (like asking kids on yahoo answers!) so thank you, and good luck!

Answer 8

definitely teach your kids from where they're young to not do that stuff. i'm 14, and i have absolutely no urge to drink OR smoke, but my parents never really talked to me about it. but you should show your teenagers the dangers behind drinking and smoking and what it can do to you. tell them if they wanna live happily they shouldnt do it. but don't get really bossy or they'll get pissed off. stay in school and become successful? whenever i didnt get good grades my dad would give me a good spanking so yeah. let them go to tutoring, afterschool. and take away their priveleges [such as going online, going out with friends] if they dont do well. works for me

Answer 9

well my mom and dad always talk about not doing drugs and dropping out of highschool>_< i always say"dont worry"and i get really annoyed.sometimes i do feel like breaking some rules but i think parents should not pressure their kids too much.....i mean there are times when kids do end up dropping out or doing drugs even if their parents told them not to

Answer 10

I am 19 and I think if parents dicipline thier kids at an early age and get them in good habbits. Once they are in highschool you cant suddenly crack down on them, because then there will be to much pressure.