09/10 Breaking Teens' Bad Habits
1 | 2 | 3 | 4A 750 ml. bottle of liquor a day at 17 yrs. old!
Posted by: bichjirk
Posted on: 2003-09-10 09:47:39
Dear Dr. Phil,
My name's Joe, I'm 22 now, my story is: up until 4 months ago I've been on a binge of drinkin since the age of 17. And if my mom and I went on your show about "breaking a Teens Bad Habit" Recording a segment about how much I drink and then Airing it, that would give me not a gold medal of honor from my friends, it'd give me a "platnum" medal! They would throw a big bash w/ beer pong, drinkin card games and just cillin in a backyard w/ a keg and 750's of all differ liquor there to choose w/ the music blastin on the sterio out on the deck among 30 ppl. gettin trashed; because I made it aware to the millions of viewers on TV about my habit. And to top that off, I'de be all about that party too for me, and my mom would never know! Me and my friends drink every day after we got outa school or after work from as little as a six pack at night to as much as a 750 ml bottle of hard liquor w/ out puking. I bet your first guest's friends hosted some sorta party for him for being "THE HEAD DRUNK" of his group of friends cause mine would. Hopefully you think about this DR. Phil cause no kid is goin to stop drinkin cause there parents ask him too, it's up to "himself" to kick the habit and grow up!
Sincerely,
Joe
Posted by: bichjirk
Posted on: 2003-09-10 09:47:39
Dear Dr. Phil,
My name's Joe, I'm 22 now, my story is: up until 4 months ago I've been on a binge of drinkin since the age of 17. And if my mom and I went on your show about "breaking a Teens Bad Habit" Recording a segment about how much I drink and then Airing it, that would give me not a gold medal of honor from my friends, it'd give me a "platnum" medal! They would throw a big bash w/ beer pong, drinkin card games and just cillin in a backyard w/ a keg and 750's of all differ liquor there to choose w/ the music blastin on the sterio out on the deck among 30 ppl. gettin trashed; because I made it aware to the millions of viewers on TV about my habit. And to top that off, I'de be all about that party too for me, and my mom would never know! Me and my friends drink every day after we got outa school or after work from as little as a six pack at night to as much as a 750 ml bottle of hard liquor w/ out puking. I bet your first guest's friends hosted some sorta party for him for being "THE HEAD DRUNK" of his group of friends cause mine would. Hopefully you think about this DR. Phil cause no kid is goin to stop drinkin cause there parents ask him too, it's up to "himself" to kick the habit and grow up!
Sincerely,
Joe
KPFAN45
Posted by: bichjirk
Posted on: 2003-09-10 10:17:43
What do u not understand, what I wrote is the truth. thank god I got outa that sink hole w/ no addiction or w/drawls. The only way I stopped is when I moved outa state, away from my friends, or I'de still be doin it right now. I'de drink at night and get up w/ no hangover (cause I drank everyday) and go to work. I was functional.
Posted by: bichjirk
Posted on: 2003-09-10 10:17:43
What do u not understand, what I wrote is the truth. thank god I got outa that sink hole w/ no addiction or w/drawls. The only way I stopped is when I moved outa state, away from my friends, or I'de still be doin it right now. I'de drink at night and get up w/ no hangover (cause I drank everyday) and go to work. I was functional.
Seen it before
Posted by: jmatistic
Posted on: 2003-09-10 11:19:00
Joe,
My brother was just like you in high school. Then he went away to college. He was in a fraternity were drinking was 24-7 and the party never ended. He flunked out of college because studying got in the way of partying. He got kicked out of the fraternity for spending fraternity funds on beer. He moved in with his girlfriend who would not like him to drink so much so he began staying up after she went to bed and getting drunk. But that wasn't enough fun for him. So he started leaving work early so he could drink before she got home. He lost his job because of this. To look at him you would think he was a guy who had his stuff together. No one even suspected his drinking.
It all started in high school. Just fun with the guys. Now at 26, he is in AA and is recovering. He has lost the trust of everyone that loves him. His partying almost cost him everything.
Please understand that although you may be cool right now because of your drinking, if you don't stop now you have a great chance of being one big fat loser at your 10 year reunion. Drinking everyday does not make you a cool adult.
My friends laugh at grown men who behave like you - the party guys. :)
Posted by: jmatistic
Posted on: 2003-09-10 11:19:00
Joe,
My brother was just like you in high school. Then he went away to college. He was in a fraternity were drinking was 24-7 and the party never ended. He flunked out of college because studying got in the way of partying. He got kicked out of the fraternity for spending fraternity funds on beer. He moved in with his girlfriend who would not like him to drink so much so he began staying up after she went to bed and getting drunk. But that wasn't enough fun for him. So he started leaving work early so he could drink before she got home. He lost his job because of this. To look at him you would think he was a guy who had his stuff together. No one even suspected his drinking.
It all started in high school. Just fun with the guys. Now at 26, he is in AA and is recovering. He has lost the trust of everyone that loves him. His partying almost cost him everything.
Please understand that although you may be cool right now because of your drinking, if you don't stop now you have a great chance of being one big fat loser at your 10 year reunion. Drinking everyday does not make you a cool adult.
My friends laugh at grown men who behave like you - the party guys. :)
right on
Posted by: sastebens
Posted on: 2003-09-10 18:23:25
It's too bad education was not more important than drinking maybe his grammer and spelling would at least be adequate. My son was the victim of a drunk driver when he was 8 years old. It's time for everyone to wake up stop this insanity. Saying everyone is doing it or it's just a phase every teenager goes through is crap. My son was nearly killed by that excuse and has to live with the consequences of another persons actions for the rest of his life. Prison is a viable alternative.
Posted by: sastebens
Posted on: 2003-09-10 18:23:25
It's too bad education was not more important than drinking maybe his grammer and spelling would at least be adequate. My son was the victim of a drunk driver when he was 8 years old. It's time for everyone to wake up stop this insanity. Saying everyone is doing it or it's just a phase every teenager goes through is crap. My son was nearly killed by that excuse and has to live with the consequences of another persons actions for the rest of his life. Prison is a viable alternative.
wake up!
Posted by: tombraid
Posted on: 2003-09-18 17:19:27
I am 23 years old right now. I had a problem with drinking for 5 years. I struggled a lot with it. I went away to college and I had a hard time academically. What did I do? I turned to alcohol. I didn't care how much I drank, as long as I could get my hands on any type of liquor. I drank till I passed out (and it was the hard liquor). However, the alcohol started to take its toll on my body. Twice, I got alcohol poisoning. Once, I had passed out and woke up in my vomit. At the same time, I was diagnosed with depression and put on an antidepressant. But, despite my doctor's warning about mixing it with alcohol, I didn't care. I continued drinking until my mother had had enough of it. You see, I told her that I would never drink (even when she asked me, I said no). I lied to her and that really angered her. She took the car away from me. BUt, I just couldn't believe the person I was. I decided that I couldn't deal with my life anymore. SO, I overdosed on tylenol. I was lucky, despite the fact that my liver was failing because of the tylenol and the alcohol. To put it strongly, alcohol can ruin your life! It ruined mine and almost killed me. I can say that I have not touched a drop of alcohol in two months. Life is so much better for me.
Posted by: tombraid
Posted on: 2003-09-18 17:19:27
I am 23 years old right now. I had a problem with drinking for 5 years. I struggled a lot with it. I went away to college and I had a hard time academically. What did I do? I turned to alcohol. I didn't care how much I drank, as long as I could get my hands on any type of liquor. I drank till I passed out (and it was the hard liquor). However, the alcohol started to take its toll on my body. Twice, I got alcohol poisoning. Once, I had passed out and woke up in my vomit. At the same time, I was diagnosed with depression and put on an antidepressant. But, despite my doctor's warning about mixing it with alcohol, I didn't care. I continued drinking until my mother had had enough of it. You see, I told her that I would never drink (even when she asked me, I said no). I lied to her and that really angered her. She took the car away from me. BUt, I just couldn't believe the person I was. I decided that I couldn't deal with my life anymore. SO, I overdosed on tylenol. I was lucky, despite the fact that my liver was failing because of the tylenol and the alcohol. To put it strongly, alcohol can ruin your life! It ruined mine and almost killed me. I can say that I have not touched a drop of alcohol in two months. Life is so much better for me.
Thanks for the Honesty
Posted by: avidreeder
Posted on: 2003-09-10 11:33:48
it is quite disheartening to hear that teens encourage each other in such dangerous areas, but i think i'd rather know about this than not. i agree that regarding alcoholism or any other addiction, it is essential for the addicted person to be truly willing to "kick" the habit. parents, family and friends are necessary support structures to have when battling an addiction, but their desire alone to rid a person of a habit is not enough. the person with the habit must want - more than anyone else - to be free of the addiction that enslaves them.
Posted by: avidreeder
Posted on: 2003-09-10 11:33:48
it is quite disheartening to hear that teens encourage each other in such dangerous areas, but i think i'd rather know about this than not. i agree that regarding alcoholism or any other addiction, it is essential for the addicted person to be truly willing to "kick" the habit. parents, family and friends are necessary support structures to have when battling an addiction, but their desire alone to rid a person of a habit is not enough. the person with the habit must want - more than anyone else - to be free of the addiction that enslaves them.
Okay, but...
Posted by: awhughes
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:09:02
Though it is ture that no PERSON regardless of age will stop doing anything until they choose to, but for you to know this and continue on the path you are is suicide. Clearly being "the MAN" in your mind justifies stupidity and dangerous habits.
Read your own message... and ask yourself how long you think you'll last at this rate? What kind of life are you going to have? Is getting the platinum medal going to carry you the rest of your life?
Thank about it...
Posted by: awhughes
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:09:02
Though it is ture that no PERSON regardless of age will stop doing anything until they choose to, but for you to know this and continue on the path you are is suicide. Clearly being "the MAN" in your mind justifies stupidity and dangerous habits.
Read your own message... and ask yourself how long you think you'll last at this rate? What kind of life are you going to have? Is getting the platinum medal going to carry you the rest of your life?
Thank about it...
If You read closely
Posted by: bichjirk
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:54:49
My friends would have gave me the "Medal", and I didnt drink a 750 a day, but I was capable of doin it. I have really good future plans. I'm a "go getter" and I'll have my own buisiness. Fabricating custom choppers I'm goin to do and if I have the time I'll have my own Italian resturaunt. I went to culinary school. I'm very gifted and talented. I can even seel my drawings if I wanted to. I DONT HAVE DESIRE TO DRINK, I GREW UP AND I'M SAVING MONEY. THANK YOU!
Posted by: bichjirk
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:54:49
My friends would have gave me the "Medal", and I didnt drink a 750 a day, but I was capable of doin it. I have really good future plans. I'm a "go getter" and I'll have my own buisiness. Fabricating custom choppers I'm goin to do and if I have the time I'll have my own Italian resturaunt. I went to culinary school. I'm very gifted and talented. I can even seel my drawings if I wanted to. I DONT HAVE DESIRE TO DRINK, I GREW UP AND I'M SAVING MONEY. THANK YOU!
RE: Bichjirk
Posted by: ccsweet02
Posted on: 2003-09-11 21:10:45
Joe,
Congrats to you for being able to take it upon yourself to move forward with your life, especially for starting at such a young age. You're lucky to be smart enough to over come it and still have your youth. I'm 21 years old, I drink occasionally, but i'm lucky i can control it. I used to drink a lot more from being around the wrong types of people (similar to your friends, only this was my signifigant other). At the time I was with him, I used to try to get him to slow down and take it easy on the drinking, but even though he cared a lot about me, it's like you said, he has to do it for himself. I myself, only drink occaisionally now, but if he and I stayed on the path we were on....I'd be too drunk to type this at this very moment. Just wanted to say your message was an interesting and very true one.
Cristen
--Cristen
Posted by: ccsweet02
Posted on: 2003-09-11 21:10:45
Joe,
Congrats to you for being able to take it upon yourself to move forward with your life, especially for starting at such a young age. You're lucky to be smart enough to over come it and still have your youth. I'm 21 years old, I drink occasionally, but i'm lucky i can control it. I used to drink a lot more from being around the wrong types of people (similar to your friends, only this was my signifigant other). At the time I was with him, I used to try to get him to slow down and take it easy on the drinking, but even though he cared a lot about me, it's like you said, he has to do it for himself. I myself, only drink occaisionally now, but if he and I stayed on the path we were on....I'd be too drunk to type this at this very moment. Just wanted to say your message was an interesting and very true one.
Cristen
--Cristen
TRUTH
Posted by: carlottom
Posted on: 2003-09-10 10:57:30
I think that the young man in the military uniform has not learned as much as he says he has in as from my experience with the military you would not be permitted to slouch while in full uniform. One of the first things the military teaches is proper respect & that includes sitting stait & keeping yourself neat at all times,also it seams as if he was giving lip service not real answers.
Posted by: carlottom
Posted on: 2003-09-10 10:57:30
I think that the young man in the military uniform has not learned as much as he says he has in as from my experience with the military you would not be permitted to slouch while in full uniform. One of the first things the military teaches is proper respect & that includes sitting stait & keeping yourself neat at all times,also it seams as if he was giving lip service not real answers.
My son destroyed our family
Posted by: shastalou
Posted on: 2003-09-10 12:12:42
As I watched the show today I can related to the parents. Every parent wants to think not my child. But I found out yes it was my child that was drinking,stealing, ditching school,telling lies. They get so good at the lies its hard to kow if its a lie or the truth. He got to be a very good actor. The signs were there as we looked back but did not see them till it was to late. Growing up we had a very close relationship and did thru High School.He had lost all respect for any family.At 18 he was taking things from the garage to the pawn shop for beer money & drug money taking money from my purse. I finally locked up my purse. He had some tools that he took from a friend and pawned them,That got him 30 days in jail.If you want your heart torn out just talk to your son while in jail and making you feel like dirt. I had to quit taking his calls.He was always popular in school and other thing he did was a 10 year 4 H member and went on the Rodeo circuit. He worked and had some good jobs but always quit them for very stupid reasons He had so many talents not only with horses but with younger kids. Things got worse after he got out of jail all the promises he made faded also.The finall straw was after he used my credit card and maxed it out and my ATM card and found my pin # and drained our savings & took a couple of checks out of the checkbook We had him move out and that was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I lay awake at night crying WHY WHAT DID I DO WRONG? I finally rea
Posted by: shastalou
Posted on: 2003-09-10 12:12:42
As I watched the show today I can related to the parents. Every parent wants to think not my child. But I found out yes it was my child that was drinking,stealing, ditching school,telling lies. They get so good at the lies its hard to kow if its a lie or the truth. He got to be a very good actor. The signs were there as we looked back but did not see them till it was to late. Growing up we had a very close relationship and did thru High School.He had lost all respect for any family.At 18 he was taking things from the garage to the pawn shop for beer money & drug money taking money from my purse. I finally locked up my purse. He had some tools that he took from a friend and pawned them,That got him 30 days in jail.If you want your heart torn out just talk to your son while in jail and making you feel like dirt. I had to quit taking his calls.He was always popular in school and other thing he did was a 10 year 4 H member and went on the Rodeo circuit. He worked and had some good jobs but always quit them for very stupid reasons He had so many talents not only with horses but with younger kids. Things got worse after he got out of jail all the promises he made faded also.The finall straw was after he used my credit card and maxed it out and my ATM card and found my pin # and drained our savings & took a couple of checks out of the checkbook We had him move out and that was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I lay awake at night crying WHY WHAT DID I DO WRONG? I finally rea
consequenses?
Posted by: vickijl
Posted on: 2003-09-10 13:55:12
Did he have set rules and consequenses?
You said after cleaning you out financially, you had to tell him to move out. If he had done that to another person, he would have went straight to jail.
Moving out may have not been easy for him, but he got away with ripping you off with no consequenses but to find another place to live.
I'm sure it's heart wrenching to see your child in jail. But he needed to pay for his actions, and didn't.
Posted by: vickijl
Posted on: 2003-09-10 13:55:12
Did he have set rules and consequenses?
You said after cleaning you out financially, you had to tell him to move out. If he had done that to another person, he would have went straight to jail.
Moving out may have not been easy for him, but he got away with ripping you off with no consequenses but to find another place to live.
I'm sure it's heart wrenching to see your child in jail. But he needed to pay for his actions, and didn't.
consequnses
Posted by: shastalou
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:47:54
Yes we had rules several of them he was grounded numerous times truck keys taken away
had to account for all time away from home and account for his paycheck. none of this did any good like i said he also learned to be a very good liar.
he has paid for his actions in a sence, but so are we.he knows he can never call our house home again. he has lost his family and 2 of the most caring & loving grandparents he could ask for and knowing that if he has problems or gets in to any trouble he can't come to us. For me its almost like he has died in a way he has because the person he is now is not the son i raised.
Posted by: shastalou
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:47:54
Yes we had rules several of them he was grounded numerous times truck keys taken away
had to account for all time away from home and account for his paycheck. none of this did any good like i said he also learned to be a very good liar.
he has paid for his actions in a sence, but so are we.he knows he can never call our house home again. he has lost his family and 2 of the most caring & loving grandparents he could ask for and knowing that if he has problems or gets in to any trouble he can't come to us. For me its almost like he has died in a way he has because the person he is now is not the son i raised.
If Parents only KNEW!!!
Posted by: fishguide
Posted on: 2003-09-10 12:37:45
I raised one son. He is now an adult who understands what responsiblity means. Raising him was not easy. It involved a lot of monitoring, negoiatiting and a lot of protesting on his part. I heard all the arguements from him and went through all the calls from the teachers about missed homework skipping school, not participating in class. It was a LOT of work. I knew a man who said "If people only knew how hard it was to raise a teenager, the human race who be extinct, because NOBODY would do it!" It amazes me when I see people who have 4 or 5 little ones. I always shake my head and think "you have no idea what you're headed for when they get to be teens!" It's the hardest job there is. But on the bright side, most of the time they grow up to be nice people. Mine did.
Posted by: fishguide
Posted on: 2003-09-10 12:37:45
I raised one son. He is now an adult who understands what responsiblity means. Raising him was not easy. It involved a lot of monitoring, negoiatiting and a lot of protesting on his part. I heard all the arguements from him and went through all the calls from the teachers about missed homework skipping school, not participating in class. It was a LOT of work. I knew a man who said "If people only knew how hard it was to raise a teenager, the human race who be extinct, because NOBODY would do it!" It amazes me when I see people who have 4 or 5 little ones. I always shake my head and think "you have no idea what you're headed for when they get to be teens!" It's the hardest job there is. But on the bright side, most of the time they grow up to be nice people. Mine did.
Nice But Stuck in Teenage Behavior
Posted by: zimexlady
Posted on: 2003-09-11 10:54:17
HI Fishguide: My kids always preferred their "friends"....in their 50s now, they seem to never have matured or weaned from their "friends". They cannot accept an invitation to come see me or have me visit them without a "friend" being present.
I notice Dr. Phil's teenage guests use the phrase "my friends" invariably.
Do kids not have ANY self confidence, independence, originality? Why are they
followers? Do they know how to think for themselves?
In my experience, kids "friends" come first even though the parents are the ones who would gladly "take a bullet" for them. How can we communicate with them with their "friends" being of prime importance?
I would not raise three kids again. Selfish but truthful.
Dr. Phil said it succinctly: "Friends come and go, parents stay forever".
Posted by: zimexlady
Posted on: 2003-09-11 10:54:17
HI Fishguide: My kids always preferred their "friends"....in their 50s now, they seem to never have matured or weaned from their "friends". They cannot accept an invitation to come see me or have me visit them without a "friend" being present.
I notice Dr. Phil's teenage guests use the phrase "my friends" invariably.
Do kids not have ANY self confidence, independence, originality? Why are they
followers? Do they know how to think for themselves?
In my experience, kids "friends" come first even though the parents are the ones who would gladly "take a bullet" for them. How can we communicate with them with their "friends" being of prime importance?
I would not raise three kids again. Selfish but truthful.
Dr. Phil said it succinctly: "Friends come and go, parents stay forever".
Help for 19yr old son
Posted by: irishwave
Posted on: 2003-09-10 13:04:22
Hello everyone,
I've never posted anything anywhere before, but I need help. Four weeks ago our 19 year old son told us that he had started dating a 21 year old bisexual single mother of a three and a half year old son. At the time they started dating she was still living with her ex-boyfriend ("only a roommate") who has threatened violence against our son. The ex moved out, but she still communicates with him. This is our son's first serious relationship; we have told him of our concerns about all of this, and expressed that we are worried about the choices he is making. We always set boundaries for our son knowing full well that it is more important for us to be his parents rather than his buddies; we have always had very frank discussions about rights and responsibilities. We were very blunt about his being sexually active with this young woman asking him if he has thought about the long term implications of his actions. He said he isn't thinking long term right now. Today I spoke with him on the phone, (He moved back to university last week); he wants us all to have dinner this weekend with our "future daughter-in-law". I am overwhelmed by all of this. My husband and I keep asking ourselves what we did wrong to make our son think about marrying a person after knowing them for such a short time period. We are terrified he will throw his life away because of an attachment founded on a sexual relationship. Friends say not to worry, but I am worried. Help!
Posted by: irishwave
Posted on: 2003-09-10 13:04:22
Hello everyone,
I've never posted anything anywhere before, but I need help. Four weeks ago our 19 year old son told us that he had started dating a 21 year old bisexual single mother of a three and a half year old son. At the time they started dating she was still living with her ex-boyfriend ("only a roommate") who has threatened violence against our son. The ex moved out, but she still communicates with him. This is our son's first serious relationship; we have told him of our concerns about all of this, and expressed that we are worried about the choices he is making. We always set boundaries for our son knowing full well that it is more important for us to be his parents rather than his buddies; we have always had very frank discussions about rights and responsibilities. We were very blunt about his being sexually active with this young woman asking him if he has thought about the long term implications of his actions. He said he isn't thinking long term right now. Today I spoke with him on the phone, (He moved back to university last week); he wants us all to have dinner this weekend with our "future daughter-in-law". I am overwhelmed by all of this. My husband and I keep asking ourselves what we did wrong to make our son think about marrying a person after knowing them for such a short time period. We are terrified he will throw his life away because of an attachment founded on a sexual relationship. Friends say not to worry, but I am worried. Help!
Yikes!!
Posted by: vickijl
Posted on: 2003-09-10 14:07:53
That is a dilemna!
He's definately not thinking long term. Is he prepared to share her with other women?
I have a bisexual niece. She has never been able to figure out what she is doing. Her relationships never last more then a few yrs at most and she is now in her late 30's.
She is confused and since she is bisexual, having a male or female only relationship soon falls by the wayside.
If you can convince your son to just wait to see if this girl can be loyal, I think it would soon be apprarent to him it's not going to work.
The fact that she is still in contact with her x "roommate" should bring up a few questions.
I don't think I would avoid meeting this person, as that may just build a closer bond, a united front, between them.
Let him see how she treats/relates to you, she might slip up.
Good luck to you, this certainly is a tough one.
Posted by: vickijl
Posted on: 2003-09-10 14:07:53
That is a dilemna!
He's definately not thinking long term. Is he prepared to share her with other women?
I have a bisexual niece. She has never been able to figure out what she is doing. Her relationships never last more then a few yrs at most and she is now in her late 30's.
She is confused and since she is bisexual, having a male or female only relationship soon falls by the wayside.
If you can convince your son to just wait to see if this girl can be loyal, I think it would soon be apprarent to him it's not going to work.
The fact that she is still in contact with her x "roommate" should bring up a few questions.
I don't think I would avoid meeting this person, as that may just build a closer bond, a united front, between them.
Let him see how she treats/relates to you, she might slip up.
Good luck to you, this certainly is a tough one.
Punishing Parents
Posted by: stiffany
Posted on: 2003-09-10 14:54:34
I think much of the answer lies in the lack of a father figure in the home and would look more into how the children involved felt about their parents' divorce. I really feel this is their way of punishing their parents for getting divorced.
Posted by: stiffany
Posted on: 2003-09-10 14:54:34
I think much of the answer lies in the lack of a father figure in the home and would look more into how the children involved felt about their parents' divorce. I really feel this is their way of punishing their parents for getting divorced.
The Balancing Act...
Posted by: awhughes
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:13:45
It is truly a delicate balance -- providing enough discipline without running you child away, or making them feel angry and oppressed. Finding the balance is not easy, but what is more important is once its established -- BE CONSISTENT and HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!!! I truly believe that if you are consistent, even if the balance is not "right", your child will be better off because they can depend on what you will do!!
Posted by: awhughes
Posted on: 2003-09-10 15:13:45
It is truly a delicate balance -- providing enough discipline without running you child away, or making them feel angry and oppressed. Finding the balance is not easy, but what is more important is once its established -- BE CONSISTENT and HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!!! I truly believe that if you are consistent, even if the balance is not "right", your child will be better off because they can depend on what you will do!!
