ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   About the time teens start stretching their wings of independence a little too far and start getting into trouble is about the time many parents discover a growing distance between them and their teen.  This is the very time the most effort needs to be put into closing the gap.  During the rough teenage years some parents walk out…they need to walk in.  You need to walk into their world. 

   Walking into their world is to communicate and find out what their struggles are, what they are doing when they are away from home, negotiate the areas of their expanding independence, and most important…get to know their friends and their parents.

   We have heard of coop food markets, coop schools, and coop teaching…I think it may be valuable to consider coop parenting.  You hear it all the time: “Johnnie’s parents let him go to that movie.  Why can’t I?”  “Lisa’s parents let her wear skirts that short.  Why can’t I?”  It’s a difficult enough trying to get your teens through those difficult years, and for your child to have friends whose parents have different standards only complicates the issue.

   So why not have a social event with the parents of your teen’s circle of friends and agree to coop parenting.  You could talk about the values of each family, what activities are allowed, what movies are OK to watch, etc, and then agree to hold the same standard no matter what home they are in.  Coop parenting treats your teen’s friends the same as you would treat your own.  They would soon learn that the standards are the same in each home and you can rest assured that your child is safe in their home.

   Love enters their world…Jesus did.  He left His home, entered your world to see what your struggles are like, and thus He could become an intercessor as one who knows what it is like.  You came out the better for it…your teen will too.

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   About the time teens start stretching their wings of independence a little too far and start getting into trouble is about the time many parents discover a growing distance between them and their teen.  This is the very time the most effort needs to be put into closing the gap.  During the rough teenage years some parents walk out…they need to walk in.  You need to walk into their world. 

   Walking into their world is to communicate and find out what their struggles are, what they are doing when they are away from home, negotiate the areas of their expanding independence, and most important…get to know their friends and their parents.

   We have heard of coop food markets, coop schools, and coop teaching…I think it may be valuable to consider coop parenting.  You hear it all the time: “Johnnie’s parents let him go to that movie.  Why can’t I?”  “Lisa’s parents let her wear skirts that short.  Why can’t I?”  It’s a difficult enough trying to get your teens through those difficult years, and for your child to have friends whose parents have different standards only complicates the issue.

   So why not have a social event with the parents of your teen’s circle of friends and agree to coop parenting.  You could talk about the values of each family, what activities are allowed, what movies are OK to watch, etc, and then agree to hold the same standard no matter what home they are in.  Coop parenting treats your teen’s friends the same as you would treat your own.  They would soon learn that the standards are the same in each home and you can rest assured that your child is safe in their home.

   Love enters their world…Jesus did.  He left His home, entered your world to see what your struggles are like, and thus He could become an intercessor as one who knows what it is like.  You came out the better for it…your teen will too.

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   About the time teens start stretching their wings of independence a little too far and start getting into trouble is about the time many parents discover a growing distance between them and their teen.  This is the very time the most effort needs to be put into closing the gap.  During the rough teenage years some parents walk out…they need to walk in.  You need to walk into their world. 

   Walking into their world is to communicate and find out what their struggles are, what they are doing when they are away from home, negotiate the areas of their expanding independence, and most important…get to know their friends and their parents.

   We have heard of coop food markets, coop schools, and coop teaching…I think it may be valuable to consider coop parenting.  You hear it all the time: “Johnnie’s parents let him go to that movie.  Why can’t I?”  “Lisa’s parents let her wear skirts that short.  Why can’t I?”  It’s a difficult enough trying to get your teens through those difficult years, and for your child to have friends whose parents have different standards only complicates the issue.

   So why not have a social event with the parents of your teen’s circle of friends and agree to coop parenting.  You could talk about the values of each family, what activities are allowed, what movies are OK to watch, etc, and then agree to hold the same standard no matter what home they are in.  Coop parenting treats your teen’s friends the same as you would treat your own.  They would soon learn that the standards are the same in each home and you can rest assured that your child is safe in their home.

   Love enters their world…Jesus did.  He left His home, entered your world to see what your struggles are like, and thus He could become an intercessor as one who knows what it is like.  You came out the better for it…your teen will too.

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry