Teaching teens

Summertime can be trouble time for young people. School is out, and children and teens have a lot of time on their hands.

Parenting teenagers is not easy, as the tug-and-pull for freedom vs. responsibility is constant. Each parent and each child handle freedom and responsibility differently.

But it's always a good idea to know where your teenager is, who his or her friends are and what kinds of activities they enjoy and engage in. Communication is vital about expectations and making good choices. Teenagers will make mistakes and poor judgment, just as adults do. But oftentimes teens don't understand the consequences until it's too late.

There have been several examples lately of teenagers getting into mischief and making mistakes.

There are many ways for teenagers to have a good time without putting themselves in danger or breaking the law.

If you're the parent of a teenager, please talk to and listen to your child. Help them understand what it means to have fun and be responsible at the same time.