I need some encouraging words, PLEASE....

[robyn6002]

I think the key is letting them know they are number 1 with you. I find with teenagers you cant always take stuff personally (the hormones are raging) but if you show them you love them, trust their judgement and keep OPEN lines of communication that goes a LONG way!

The one thing that drives me NUTS is mothers (more Moms that Dads) that encourage their preadolescent girls to be totally into guys.. to dress grown up and emphasize the 9 going on 20!!!

Well guess what the girls that went on dates in 5th grade (yes there were parents that let girls and boys go UNESCORETED) to movies (1 on 1) .... i could NOT belive how they are dressing my 8th grade... SHORTS rolled down and pulled up.. little tops... its UNBELIEVABLE... my son plays football and i was TOTALLY blown away by it. While you want your kid to be going to lots of parties in 6th/.7th grade.. .by 8th grade and High school many of them are doing things you REALLY wont believe....

So anyhow my little rant for the day...

 

[fitnurse]

I have 4 teenagers - 2 19 years old, 1 17 years old and 1 16 years old. We've had some of the same problems you are experiencing. It does get better!! Stay firm but loving. Don't let her wear you down. They try to tire you out so you let them just go do whatever. We found when ours got old enough to be thinking about driving we had some leverage. Grounding from driving and their cars have been great bargaining points. I always say you have to stay firm and take whatever it is they value most away to get them to behave until they finally figure it out, and then you don't have to do that anymore. 3 of ours have gone through the same stuff, and we nearly had nervous breakdowns, but they've all come out of it, and now we're working on our last one. I learned early on not to let it stress me out too much because it affects your health so much. I still worry but believe it will all work out with "tough love". Stay firm, don't accept any guilt trips from her, and know always always give lots of love and hugs!
Good luck, my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Lynn