Kids are smarter than parents think

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By Emily Teichman, Colona | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 11:32 PM CDT | () comments

Most parents will always worry about their kids. Most parents will always harass their kids about where they’re going. And, most parents will always call you and your friends to make sure you are where you say you are.

Parents can be a little overbearing at times. I’m not saying that they should believe everything their child says, but that they should trust their kids will use good judgment.

There are many opportunities for kids to get involved in drugs and alcohol, but drugs and alcohol were around when our parents were teenagers. Most of our parents have been put into the same situations as we have, even though we deal with it more.

Parents have to realize that they can’t shelter us forever. It’s almost better that we’re faced with it as teenagers instead of adults, because when you’re an adult, you’re on your own and more vulnerable.

It’s true that it’s harder for us as teenagers to say “no” because most of us try to fit in and do what other people are doing. But parents need to trust that those years of telling us to say “no,” have actually paid off and that they can trust us to make our own decisions.

I don’t think parents should stop the ‘where are you going to be,’ ‘who are you going to be with,’ and “when are you going to be home.’ But I do believe that parents should give us a little more space.