Ah, the joys of parenting a 13-yo

[Anonymous]

Oops. My parents back in the day required coins, which don't help in today's world of no phones. So he carries a phone.

[Anonymous]

OP, NP here and was just so happy to see your post. I've just gone through another night of drama, and part of it does touch on the "can't make her do something"--it's not like a toddler where you can just physically make them get in the car, or go to their room, or even turn off the TV!

Last week I endured her hysteria fit about wanting to switch schools, which two days later had disappeared. During that two days, I'd done a ton of research into other schools, LOL. I think the fact that I was open to the idea made her feel less trapped, so she settled down. At least that's how I'm rationalizing my waste of time.

Tonight's crisis is she doesn't want to go to a two week sleep-away camp. It's not like you can tie up and throw your teen on the camper bus. The truth is, she got me riled because I've been looking forward to two whole weeks without her! I was living for these two weeks!

I too took that book advice from another thread ("Yes, Your Teen is Crazy") and I am much calmer.