I am so mentally exhausted from dealing with my teenage son and his friends...

Parents Support One Another @ MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support = I need help with the following issue:

I am so mentally exhausted from dealing with my teenage son and his friends. While I am glad in a way that they hang out at our place, they tatally disrespect our space and my son will say "my bad" and say stuff like "we're teenagers, Mom" It takes 5 or 6 times of first asking, then yelling for him to clean up the dishes, etc. We've already said no one in the house unless one of us is home, but now the outside looks like we've become hillbillies!

12 YO has become increasingly defiant...

Parents Support One Another @ MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support = We are pulling our son out of PS in the Fall and teaching him and my daughter from home. #1 because that is what God instructs us to do, #2 because our 12 YO has become increasingly defiant and his grades are falling fast. There is no drug/alcohol abuse, just a sense of the world revolving around him and lack of empathy for others. Lack of motivation and lack of desire to do antything if it doesn't concern him, his friends, girls and skating. (in that order). Just wondering if anyone out there has taken their child from a PS and had a good experience homeschooling. We have tried everything and view ourselves as reasonable parents with reasonable expectations. Thank you!

How long do I issue consequences at home?

Parents Support One Another @ MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support = I need help with the following issue: My son was suspended for 2 days from school. How long do I issue consequences at home? I have taken away video games and computer privileges (how long?) He also has physical work assigned for the second day of suspension. I am just not sure how long it is appropriate to with hold other privileges.

My teen has been stealing money from our wallets...

Parents Support One Another @ MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support = I need help with the following issue:

My teen has been stealing money from our wallets, we have to lock up our purses and wallets and its driving me crazy. I don't know what to do but scream and that's no way to handle it? HELP!

Insist on the father doing ongoing marijuana urine screens...?

Parents Support One Another @ MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support = I need help with the following issue:

Hi, I have just emailed mark about a complicated situation to do with Family Court and my children's father seeking nearly half custody of our son. Their father has had a 10 year drug and alcohol problem with escalating physical and emotional violence which has severely affected the children. I would like to know if it is the right thing to be insisting on the father doing ongoing marijuana urine screens and hair follicle alcohol testing as well as insisting on ongoing addiction programs and support? Also would you be able to tell me what you know about the testing and in particular the hair follicle alcohol tests?

My daughter is 15 and runs away overnight...

My daughter is 15 and runs away overnight without letting me know where she is going. I know she drinks alcohol ...my husband yells at me for crying and then goes fishing... I am so alone... I am trying to have faith but I have no one to talk to you... I am feeling so isolated, lonely and depressed.

My Out-of-Control Teen

Does paying for activities such as Scouts and music lessons count as over-indulging?

Parents Support One Another @ MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support = I need help with the following issue:

I have just finished learning the material in Week One. Does paying for activities such as Scouts and music lessons count as over-indulging? I like my kids to do these things and there's no way they could earn enough to cover the cost with their allowance. They are aged 11 and 13.

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COMMENT

I would say Scouts and music lessons fall more into the "education" category rather than the "fun and games" category. I don't think you should pay them for these things, but it's certainly o.k. for you to fund these activities.

Mark Hutten, M.A.

He's very strong and that scares me...

I have a 15 yr old son who is relatively calm and quiet. He's very strong and that scares me... when something makes him mad, he totally looses control... tonight I took his I pod away and he grabbed my arm and repeatedly punched me in the back. That happened after I heard my younger son screamnig because he threw him out of the room hurting him. I am very afraid of him now and he hasn't even apologized. My younger son is very frightened. My husband is on business and if I were to tell him, he'd react with violence, causing my son to become more violent. The police came and said they should arrest him but I felt he would be devastated and become very depressed if that happened and make things worse. I feel so helpless.

My Out-of-Control Teen