How do i survive trying to raise a teenager?
611354
I agree with wbdriver10, sums it all up, dont give up, when your teen is at his or her worst, thats when they need you most of all..It truly gets better, then you get to be proud of how awesome they are:)
195193
Well assuming you have a child I would say lay off dating and try and take care of that baby.\n\nYou are too young to have a kid in the first place but now that you do you are too old to be dealing with silly teenage crap.\n\nYou need to grow up and be a mom instead of worrying about some silly boy feeding you a giant load of crap.\n\nHe just wants to get in your pants...that is all teenage boys want from girls and it sounds like you don't need the complications.
133809
That would depend on your age, I suppose.  If you're living on your own, there's the classic "I'm a grown *insert gender here*!\n\nIf you're still under her room, try talking to her about some things, but explain that you do have a private life, and you don't want to share everything with her.  Explain to her that you'll always be willing to come to her with your big problems, but that you want to be given the chance to handle things on your own.\n\nOr you could do the teenager thing and scream "GET OUT OF MY LIFE!"\nAll viable options.
910331
First of all, remember children are far more resilient that adults realize.  If you're strong, your son will be as well.  \n\nYou both need to sit your son down and talk to him.  Explain to him where daddy will be and what he'll be doing.  Get a calendar and show him just how long it'll be.  Then tell him he can start marking off days until daddy comes home.  Also, explain to him that things come up in the military and it might be a bit longer or shorter.\n\nTake pics of daddy and son together.  Put them in a photo album just for your son.  Also, when our daughter was young, I got a non-breakable plastic picture frame.  It was part of her daily toys she played with.  Whenever she played, there was daddy, right along with her.\n\nThere's no telling when he'll be able to make phone calls.  It's not always convenient to have your son there or awake when the calls come in.  However, as often as possible, he should call to talk to your son as well as you.  Also, have him write and adress letters specifically for your son.  It makes them feel special if their not just part of the letters to mom.\n\nOther than that, all I can tell you is to be strong.  He WILL pick up on whatever emotions you're feeling.  If you're upset, he's going to be.  If you cry, he's going to cry too.  Kids are very strong and very smart.  They honestly usually do as well as the parent at home does.  Be sure not to change his routines or do things different than you normally do.  \n\nGood luck!!  Tell your hubby to stay safe and "thanks" from one who's been through it 3 times already.
635410
I think there are alot of teenagers here, but what can you do? It's not that annoying. You have to learn to live with the next generation because they're going to take power from you someday.
1010097
To be honest you can't do anything. The best thing you can do is give support. When he is mentally ready he will do it.
74678
Be yourself ... I was raised in a pretty sheltered environment and I have struggled to overcome this.  It is NOT a benefit to a child to be sheltered, but unfortunately, the parents may have also had a sheltered life.  Try not to let it bother you, it is very difficult for a sheltered kid to be able to trust people and try to live a normal life.  Friends are the kids best asset, try introducing new things to him/her slowly and it will be greatly appreciated ... You Have The Ability to help someone and make a difference in their life and in the world.
567819
It's tough being a teenager.  I fought with my parents all the time at 13.  Every gray hair my mom owns, I gave her when I turned 13.  It's okay to have opinions and be passionate about them, but I think teenagers see things from a much more idealistic view, which is reasonable, because they haven't had to go out into the real world yet (where you have to have a job and money and all that boring stuff).  Your mom has seen life from a more realistic and sometimes pessimistic view.  She wants to be as passionate and idealistic in her opinions as you are but can't because the adult world changes that.  It's about living day to day.  But sit her down, calmly.  It's hard, but no matter what, be calm.  Even if she yells, be calm.  It'll force her to calm down too.  And tell her you love her and that you want to spend more time with her but that you want her to understand you and to help you understand her.  Communication is key at this stage.  I wish I communicated with my parents more.  But if you bottle up, it'll come back to haunt you, trust me.  So try to calmly sit her down and talk to her.  She loves you very much and wants the best for you.  It's just hard letting her little girl grow up.  Reach a compromise.  Good luck!
1171188
Older people just get to be more intense, more of what they already are.  Teenagers are just trying to become more like adults.  Sometimes the two don't mix.\n\nIt would help if you could sit quietly and try to figure out what you are doing that is pushing her buttons and then try to work on that.  Did you leave a mess?  Is she exhausted after a full day's work, having to return home to a house full of people that she has to clean and cook for?  Is anyone helping her out or is she just old and grumpy?  If she left you how would you take care of yourself?  Would you feel bad?\nIf that doesn't work for you, try a sense of humor.  You might not be able to say what you re really thinking to her because she might not understand you, but you can enjoy the comedy of the situation.
855235
Battling with the other half rarely does much good.  Just be the best parent figures you can for his daughter.  Try to keep a positive co-operative relationship between the girls parents.  Make a stand if and when you are sure you must, just be sure she will benefit from it more than she will lose or be hurt by the conflict between her parents.  She already been hurt a lot, no doubt.
237155
careful when strangers around\nhear something not right (gunshot, scream,etc...) go home right the way/call adults/stay away fr that place.\nrefuse to use any drugs friends give\nstay away from bad friends.\ngo home right after school, so they don't hang out with bad kids\ndo not listen to MTV/ anything similar to it.\nshow respect\nget good grades\nmake more friends, most kids/teenagers in danger of loneliness
1029773
My advice to you is just act very mature and take things serious arong that person do things that are good and meaningful and that should convince somebody depending on who you are trying to babysit now if its your parents you might have a trouble!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck
527950
Being someone who just escaped the torture of teenagerisim...\n\nDon't bother. She won't listen, and if she's forced to listen, she might very well try and do the opposite. \n\nJust give her the chance to learn for herself. She still loves you, but she needs this time between childhood and adulthood to experience things. \n\nSo increase her money slightly, but also let her know that there's something she has to pay for herself. (Say clothing. She can afford to buy cheaper clothing, but if she wants something special, she'll have to save for it.) \n\nAnd give her responsibilities, things that no matter how badly she does at first, she has to do right. Budgeting her own stuff, cleaning her own stuff... give it slowly, don't trigger the 'OMGYOUAREMEANOFFIGO!' button. -laughs-\n\nEverything will probably be a disaster at first... but she'll eventually get the hang of responsibilities. Don't panic! \n\nBut do let her know that you'll always be there if she needs to talk about something, and that you'll always have advice for her, and never be too judgemental.  When you're a teenager, you're sure that you can take on the world. That you can do the adult thing, that you're grown up! Then bit by bit the world comes for you, like it or not, and you do panic a bit. She will need you to support her, to push her back up when she's fallen. \n\nBut in the end, most of the things you want to tell her? She'll find out for herself. The rest she'll ask you about.
861915
Honey, the best thing you can do for your children is to leave this man regardless of their school situation.  Teens make friends easier than you would think.  But don't even consider leaving one of your children with this man, with you gone, who do you think the violence will turn to.......your daughters.  \n\nI would suggest calling the Dept of Social Services in another county if you don't trust your county and tell them the whole story and they can help you out of the situation.  Battered womens shelters are every where and you need to locate one quickly, because they can and will help you.  They will give you courage and strength where you cannot find any now.  \n\nPlease make the phone calls.  Your life is at risk here.  I know.  My babysister was beaten to death and burned by an abusive boyfriend 5 years ago.  She was five months pregnant.  She knew he would kill her eventually, she stated as much, but she would not take the steps to get out and we could not force her to.  Well, one night he got mad, they argued and he beat her to death then had a friend set fire to her body............he has never been punished and never will be because his friend is his aliby.......\n\nI recently went to view the pictures of her body and of my unborn nephew and let me tell you, if you could see them, you would leave and never look back because IT CAN BE YOU, IT IS NOT ALWAYS 'THE OTHER PERSON.'  She was 28 years old and absolutely model beautiful, burned away.........don't let that happen to you, ok.\n\nSo, ya see, if you feel he will kill you, then God is giving you an instinct of self-preservation and I want you to listen to that instinct and get out of there.  Make your plans and don't discuss them with your daughters, for they will tell.  Call DHHR and a Womans Shelter.  I beg you to leave and take your children with you!!!!!!!!  I will pray for you!!!!!!!!\n\nYou can do it! don't doubt it.  I divorced my hubby of 15 years, 5 years ago.  In the military stationed in Hawaii.  I left that island with the clothes on my back and my daughter right beside me and it was tough, really tough, but you can make it....your girls will need counseling though and so will you due to the abuse.\n\ntake care
724313
There are alot of organizations out there but not many that give to teenagers.  I think most of them want the smaller children to be taken care of first.  Your best bet is to contact one of the larger churches in your area and tell them your situation.  \n\nI live in Kentucky and I know there are still people in my area that are donating time and money to the people of Louisiana.  The rest of the country has not forgotten about you guys!  I know that these people will come through for you at X-mas time.\n\nBut please let these churches know about your needs and love for your nephews.  You are a special person to take on the responsibility of raising two other children, I am sure it will be hard, but the reward will be amazing.  Hang in there!  I applaud you for your kindness and may God Bless You in so many ways!!!
1060072
get a life little girl\nstay away from her, don't call or even speak to her\nIf your old enough to fight your old enough to act like an adult\nIf you want a restraining order you can apply for one but that does not mean a court will issue one! Proof, proof, proof, no proof no restraining order!
106249
Dont worry about it.  Its natural, teens rebell it's a fact of life.  What you have to do however is make sure your rebellion doesnt lead to reckless behaviour that can ruin your future.  Believe it or not, your parents were teenagers too so they know what you're going through, just know that whenever you need them they'll be there.