Reply to Please suggest house rules for a visiting 15-year-old

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We hosted a 14 yr old from Europe last summer, for six weeks. Before she came, we let her know (with her parents there, all via Skype) that she had to obey the laws in this country (re smoking, drinking, drugs) as well as our house rules. If we found her breaking any, we'd put her on a plane home within 48 hours. We made sure there were no language barriers.

To be fair though, we explained that these were the rules for EVERYONE in the house. Dh and I decided we would not drink at the dinner table (we drank at restaurants, but not at home). Nobody is allowed to bring electronics to the table at mealtime. None of the kids can bring an electronic to a family outing. We did not give her a curfew because we wanted to know where she was at all times. Within a week of being here she'd made friends and would ask "Can I go see a movie and then hang out at the mall with Julie?" and we'd agree to pick her up at 9pm or whatever time. When she complained we were embarrassing her (I walked into a party she'd been invited to, in order to meet the parent she claimed would be home), we brushed her off saying "Then don't go. If you want to go, this is the hoop you need to jump through. Besides you're not from here - you'll never see these people again." She got over herself. We made fun of the American stereotypes that we fit (hovering/coddling parents) that frustrated her.

It worked out just fine. [/quote]

Thanks. This is extremely helpful.

-OP[/quote]

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