Being a mom that sometimes tends to crack herself up, I’ve come up with a few ways (to make me chuckle) and keep a watchful eye on my ever so resourceful teen. So, all of us being responsible parents, we get our children a cell phone so that we can know where they are at all times and be able to get a hold of them when needed. Ever stop and wonder that maybe, just maybe, the kids use this device to find out where WE are at and what WE are doing?

When your teen calls you and tells you that he/she is at the local hangout with their friends and doesn’t quite know what they are going to do….maybe a movie….maybe go to Johnny’s house….maybe go to the mall….they just have not figured it out yet…but he/she will call you when they‘ve made up their minds….hehe

That’s when I like to do the “drive by”….give it about 10 minutes after the phone call, and you go to the local hangout, because as a concerned parent, it looks as if it might be a bit chilly outside and your teen could be in need of his/her sweatshirt. This way you can see for yourself who they are hanging out with and your teen knows that your on top of it, (they aren’t dumb, they will know your checking up on them).

The other helpful little hint I can share with you is the sleepover check. Teens just love to have their sleepovers….so they give you the obligatory cell phone call to tell you that they are sleeping over at “Johnny’s” house and they will see you in the morning. Not if I have my say….you’ll be seeing my ever smiling face around 11:30 or so….I like to wait till this time just to make sure they are tucked in and ready for nighty night…not out at a party or doing something equally stupid. So I’ll drive over to Johnny’s and call my teens cell phone (hopefully he/she is actually there) and tell him/her to come outside….Where I will be waiting with his/her toothbrush, because good oral hygiene is very important, and I just know my teen will want to brush his/her teeth in the morning….see once again….I’m a good mom.

The whole point of this is so that my teen is aware that I WILL check up on him/her….and that he/she better be where they’re supposed to be. You just never know when mama bear might show up!