My son’s friend has recently worn some questionable t-shirts. Everyone knows that t-shirts can be a way of self-expression and teenagers (and close to teens) are notorious for wanting to find ways to express themselves. The shirts aren’t anything vulgar (you can find them at your local Walmart) but I still have to think that if it’s enough for me to stop and go, hmmm…then there’s a sign of caution for me with it.

Will I be one of those crazy overbearing moms? I’m thinking so, compared to some. Yes, I was one of those teens that often went in the opposite direction of society and the quote unquote “norm”. I listened to the explicit lyric music, dyed my hair, got a nose ring and did other what seem to be rebellious things. I felt like it was all a part of expression and figuring out my own identity.

On one hand I think it’s an important part of searching for yourself, on the other I think it can be a sign of lack of parental control and/or caring. There are certain beliefs and values that I have now that I obviously didn’t when I was a teenager and so maybe I will end up being one of those “do as I say, not as I did” type of parents? I think I will be very careful with the information I give to them about my experiences growing up. I don’t want or care to shelter them too much from the real world and what goes on in it – nor do I want to be prudish or unable to be talked to, but if trying to guide your kids towards the best that life has to offer requires a lot of judgement calls, then I guess I’ll have to constantly be making them.