Parenting Your Teenager: Are Sleep Overs with the Opposite Sex OK?

Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend spend the night at our house in his room. He has two beds since his older brother left for college. He says nothing will happen and lots of his friends' parents allow this. Should we try it and see how it works?

A. You're kidding, right?

Let me ask that in a slightly different way:

You are kidding, right?

Unfortunately, I know you're not because you are not the first parent to ask me this.

I must ask you:

Are you ready to be grandparents? Are you ready to help raise, in your home, your new grandchild? Are you prepared to be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and/or sued?

The answer is an emphatic NO! I don't care what promises are made to you, it's a horrible idea and invites disaster.

Teens Not Emotionally Ready for Sex

In addition to all the moral issues, teenagers are simply not emotionally prepared for sex. While their bodies and hormones are many times well prepared, their emotions are not.

And that goes for boys as well as girls.

It's time for a healthy dose of Vitamin NO in answer to your son's question.

And by the way, anytime you hear "everyone else's parents are letting them do it," watch out.

More than likely it's not true.

Leading parenting expert Jeff Herring is a teen and family therapist, parenting coach, speaker and syndicated parenting and relationship columnist. Jeff invites you to visit ParentingYourTeenager.com for 100's of tips and tools for parenting through the teenage years. You can also subscribe to his f'ree weekly internet newsletter "ParenitngYourTeenager."

In The News:
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081013/lead/lead5.htmlcid=1257161090ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNGoF12lWEYvdP7utswXD_Z8JKdUdQbParenting/b under the law/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fJamaica Gleaner,nbsp;Jamaicanbsp;-/font nobr5 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Under the law, bparents/b and guardians have particular obligations relating to the safety of children which should not be ignored. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parenting_kids_to_health_and_happiness-86113965.htmlcid=1256754914ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNE1CKSbFndYFMFg1vBQXQHPEGRmdwimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=td-9an55dX8Jimgurl=www.themedguru.com/files/parenting.jpg width=80 height=53 alt= border=1brfont size=-2TheMedGuru/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parenting_kids_to_health_and_happiness-86113965.htmlcid=1256754914ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNE1CKSbFndYFMFg1vBQXQHPEGRmdwbParenting/b kids to health and happiness/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTheMedGuru,nbsp;Indianbsp;-/font nobr18 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1According to a recent survey, children’s health is significantly related to household income as well as the bparents/b’ education level. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp%3Fm%3D12%26r%3D%26y%3D%26mo%3D%26fi%3Dp081013.htm%26no%3D11cid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNGVci7xmvwf8azuMUlRGKAYr-Pq2g300 couples train on responsible bparenting/b and natural family planning/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPhilippine Information Agency,nbsp;Philippinesnbsp;-/font nobr6 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Cotabato City (13 October) -- Over 300 couples in 15 barangays in Cotabato City were trained of Responsible bParenting/b Movement (RPM) program of Commission b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/1013/1223680465159.htmlcid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNG1lc8Osd4bKT7JoHiLake9FL_IWwGirls becoming more abusive and aggressive, say bparents/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fIrish Times,nbsp;Irelandnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bPARENTS/b ARE growing increasingly concerned about the abusive and aggressive behaviour of their daughters, an analysis of calls to a bparenting/b helpline has b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://savannahnow.com/node/592859cid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNHqW9TqV5C3hzLFkGKi5GlfUvK23wbParenting/b Tip: Behavior problems at school/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSavannah Morning News,nbsp;GAnbsp;-/font nobr7 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1It is important for bparents/b to address the behavior problems early on. Some ways for bparents/b to tackle behavior problems include: Attend every school b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20081012/NEWS/810129987/1078%26ParentProfile%3D1055%26title%3DSpecial%2520parenting%2520approach%2520offered%2520this%2520weekcid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNHoSVALb0PucIBe9w8gMsEJRmP5QgSpecial bparenting/b approach offered this week/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSummit Daily News,nbsp;COnbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1BY Robert Allen A unique approach to bparenting/b that involves quantum physics will be offered through presentations in the coming weeks. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.proudparenting.com/node/2144cid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNFG55VmWNWR0Lj3hUmkhKqqsCSUsgWAY OUT bPARENTING/b: CAN YOU BE A HOCKEY MOM LIKE SARAH PALIN AND b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fProud Parentingnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1These bparents/b want to be hockey moms, too, and serve their country in positions of leadership. All this time they were thinking that the mandatory b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/3750494.Father_restarts_parenting_course/cid=1257144227ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNEPfwTwJnLRnePSqi4qNEAgHE2hHwFather restarts bparenting/b course/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fOxford Mail,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr16 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Mr Ford also enrolled on two bparenting/b courses and, using one of the courses as a guide, he applied and got a £2000 Millennium Award to set up his own b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.contracostatimes.com/relationships/ci_10691090cid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNG7kdA35EIBofmo2_h4IRqDPAYAcAWeb Site Gives bParents/b a Hand, Kids a Nudge/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fContra Costa Times,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Nanny is the newest face of outsourced bparenting/b. She arrives not at your doorstep but on your computer screen, as part of NannysCircle.com. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/Article.aspx%3Fid%3D861704cid=0ei=3CjzSM63MaGO6AP6sKV-usg=AFQjCNHiRqPR4xl1QX3CYI01yXekKikqdwAsk the Supernanny/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fThe Times,nbsp;South Africanbsp;-/font nobr12 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The key is that you are not her bparent/b. She will look to her father for all decisions, permission and guidelines. Why is he silent in all these situations? b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
parenting - Google News


Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

7 Ways to Survive the Start of the School Year

It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More

The Real Problem With Todays Teenagers (And Why Most Parents Just Dont Get It!)

An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More

10 Points on Children for the New Parent

I remember when my daughter was born, later my son.... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Self-Decorating or Self-Harm - How to Tell the Difference

Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More

5 Ways To Help Your Kids Do Math

Uh oh.Your kids arrive home with their school reports and... Read More

Choosing Wooden Toys For Children

Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Do We Mean by Attention Anyway?

When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More

7 Things To Teach Your Kids About Money

Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More

I WONT DO IT! Tips for Working with the Oppositional Child

"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More

Clean Your House Green for your Children?s Sake

My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More

Helping Your Child Develop

Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More

Five Easy Steps to Picking the Perfect Baby Name

One of the few decisions you'll make during pregnancy that... Read More

Parents Role in Helping with Car Wash Fundraisers

As a parent you will be asked to assist with... Read More

Couch Potatoes Beware!

It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More

Fun Things to Do with Your Kids this Summer

10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More

Hold a Childs Birthday Party for Charity

As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More

Dexedrine, Cylert, and Adderall in the Treatment of ADHD

Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More

Is Your Child Becoming A Praise Junkie?

Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More

Mom, Dad and the Big Brother

Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More

Adderall and Its Side-Effects

Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More

7 Powerful Ways to Show Love to Children

Our children are our most important legacy to the world.... Read More

5 Solid Reasons: Why Your Child Can Be An Achiever

All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More

The Hardest Job I Ever Had

I used to have a really challenging job. It was... Read More

A Guide To Help You Teach Your Children Positve Self-Image Through Fitness

Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More

Choosing the Perfect Jogging Stroller

When choosing the perfect jogging stroller, a very important question... Read More