How to Keep Tabs on Your Teenager

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 November 2010 12:21 Written by Consuelo Serbia Monday, 30 August 2010 07:58

By Connor R Sullivan

If you have been dreading the teen years of your child's life, you are not alone. Many parents have no problem helping their children tie their shoes, ride a bike, or head off to the first day of school but when it comes to adolescence, they feel lost. Most people, regardless of how stable their upbringing was otherwise, experience confusion and dramatic emotions during their teen years. Teens do not always understand why they feel like they do, and once you have outgrown your teenage years, you look back on them with a bit of awe and fear, not understanding how you survived. Even if you remember how confusing the time was for you, it can still be difficult to relate to your teenager and understand why they are making the choices they are making. They may not even know, so it is impossible for you to view certain actions as anything but irrational. They are trying to find their identity and in the process, they are going to try on a lot of attitudes that may not be so appealing. You may have a difficult time trusting your teen and many parents turn to methods like hair drug testing or hair follicle drug testing to find out if their teen is using illegal substances.

It is important to know if you child is taking dangerous risks with his or her body, but it is also important that you build trust with your child. You should always try talking to them before taking action, but if you believe they may cause harm to themselves, you need to do what is necessary to protect them.

If your concerns are not as severe as illegal substances, it may feel no less frustrating to deal with. Your teen may be drinking or hanging out with the wrong crowd, and even though an adult may be able to handle situations like this, teens often lack the judgment and experience to get them through challenging situations. They may have a tendency to get carried away and they may even make stupid choices just to prove they are in control of their lives.

The important thing is to understand your child is perfectly normal if they are making mistakes like this. Missteps are a part of growing up and the important thing is to offer your child enough guidance that the mistakes they make do not end up being life threatening. Set limits for your teen and allow them to push the limits but not bend them until they break. Choosing your battles is a very important skill for parents with teenagers to learn.

If your child does something with which you do not agree, ask yourself if it is causing harm to anyone. If the action is embarrassing or it just does not jive with what you think should be going on, it is important not to push too hard. You can be honest with them about your feelings, but make it clear you respect their choice. However, if they are making dangerous choices, you need to put your foot down.

Connor R. Sullivan recently researched hair drug testing case files for an article he is writing on the subject of the tests and their relevance in the court room. He learned that many companies are requiring hair follicle drug testing before hiring new employees.

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