teenager (male, 16yr) - are we too strict?

Question

he is 16, the city has a 12:00 curfew on fri & sat and 11:00 curfew week days, are we wrong enforcing a curfew. He is a good kid, works and already paid off his car. But he is an only child and I was concerned we are over protective. we make him tell us when & where is is going. but he really seems down. Said he was saving up to move out. Am I too strict and should i be concerned about what he saying

Answer 1

He's 16, he doesn't know what's good for him - you do...if there is a city curfew then by all means enforce it - it is there for a reason. You aren't being too hard on him at all.

It's good to hear he is responsible, but he has to understand that true responsibility also means following the laws, if he doesn't it will end up costing you quite a bit of money..and that wouldn't be fair to you as parents.

Answer 2

No, you're not too strict.
He's 16, after all, not 18. Life has rules. Your home has rules. He needs to learn that. 12 a.m. is hardly early, you're probably waiting up till he's in, and have to work. If somethings wrong, you need to know when to start being concerned.
There are a lot of good reasons for a reasonable curfew, and few good reasons for a curfew that's too lax.
Anyway, it's the law where you are, and out of your control. For some, it's too early, for some too late, and is therefore a consensus of opinion.

Answer 3

Are you enforcing a seperate curfew (perhaps earlier than what the city has already set?) What other types of things are you "strict" with him on...

16 is a tough age... it's an age where we crave independence, but still require direction in our lives! The most you can do at this point is encourage communication and try never to let those lines close!

Answer 4

No you are not too strict. If your city has a curfew then he has to obey the law, that's it, you didn't have nothing to do with that. He sounds like a really good kid and you have done a good job already raising him by him already paying for his vehicle. We as parents, have to let the strings out just a little at a time. As long as you can trust him, and he doesn't give you a reason to not trust him let him have a life. About him moving out, well, I don't think he is quite ready for that. He is just making threats. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well im a 16yr old Girl and for a week night that seems fine to me but you dont want to ristrict him to much, my mum gives me alot of freedom and to be honest it makes it better not just because im a teenager but because i know she trusts me and alot of my friends have strict parents and it only makes them rebel agains their parents i think that if he's a good kid then you should give him alittle freedom to have fun and be a kid before he has to grow up and take on responsibilities that will stop him from having the fun he missed out on as a teenager.

Answer 6

Wow, someone is actually being a parent.
Great to hear!
In actual the times you have given to him are very
generous as far as I am concerned.
Of course he is saving up to move out, and it will take
another two years of saving for him to be able to do so.
Knowing where your son is going what a novel idea.
Believe it or not, he will be glad you cared enough as
he grows up. It is the other kids who parents are not
paying any attention or showing concern that will wish
that their parents did.

Answer 7

be realistic here. he's 16, seems responsible, 12:00 on the weekends is a little early. What wouldn't he do at 1 that he wouldn't do at 12? it's unrealistic, and a little leeway makes a kid feel respected and appreciated.

Answer 8

No you are not too strict, You guys just love him. I know it's hard to cut those apron strings. I had to do it last year. It was hardest thing i ever had to do.