I get this line from young people all the time. They say, “I wanna be able to make decisions for myself… and be in control of my own life.” My response? “Hallelujah!”

Surprised by my response? Well, most parents seem to think that their teens need less control, not more. But gradually handing over responsibility is the only way to turn a child into an adult. The key, though, is balancing new freedoms with appropriate boundaries.

For example, teens should be able to wear whatever they want. But as soon as that clothing becomes immodest… they cross a boundary and face consequences.

So … is your daughter ready to take complete control over her life? Probably not. But if you give her the freedom she desires, within the boundaries she needs, she’s one step closer to becoming a responsible adult.

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