The approach explained in this article is simply wrong. You don't just sit there and watch your kids make mistakes. You take those moments as opportunities to teach/guide your child to handle situations correctly. If you take time to listen to your child on a daily basis, getting to know them very well, you can understand how they think and can guide them gently. You ask before they go out in the world, in every situation what they are planning to to do, who they will be with, what they would do in every imaginable situation, explain appropriate actions and consequences of handling it the wrong way. Review with them each time, having them explain what they will do until they have it down pat, then back off and let them make mistakes. Once you've taught them all you can on the subject, there is nothing more you can do, but don't fail them by not teaching them beforehand. Teaching them to be successful from the start builds greater confidence in them.

Please take a look @ www.thelifecompass.com. Great ideas for the much needed family discussions that many families have abandoned. Putting balance in our journeys' is important. Share it with your children, friends and family.

i have also read an interesting article related to this, at Parent eSource. try to read it: http://parentesource.com/2011/04/07/introducing-slow-parenting-teens/

This is one of the WORST article! Parents are to guide them to make the right choices not stand by and let them do whatever. That's what's wrong with society. Everyone is afraid of offending someone. So, they stand by and do nothing! Do I want my kids to make the mistakes I made? NO! Rebellion is a natural human reaction but it's not one to foster in your children. Teach them respect for you, your rules and God now, or they'll never have a real respect for authority later. Take a look at some of society's worst criminals. What did their parents do to make them become so violent (mass murders, rapists, etc.)? 9 times out of 10 - absolutely nothing! People don't have to be taught to do bad - they have to be taught to be good. Let teens know that your home is your domain...even their room, their computer, their phone.

Accountability is essential. Kids want to please their parents. Praise them for accomplishments and make them accountable for their actions. We have enough members of society blaming everyone else for their actions. Parents need to take a responsibility as well....God didn't give those kids to a school district to raise. Those teens were a gift given to you to teach and raise to be a contributing member of society and you don't do that by doing nothing!