A "inch"

"Teenagers, you give them a inch and they'll swim all over you".  Wise words from a crab.  This is exactly what you have to do as a parent.  You have to know when to give a inch and when to hoard that inch.  Because when you give that inch they will run as far as they can with it.  I have 4 teenage girls and 2 little girls which seems to scare most parent and soon to be parents from having kids.  So I'll give them a "inch" when it comes to good things because I want them to run with it.  But, I do try to be a earth bender (Avatar Cartoon reference) and be immovable when it comes to things that are not good for them even if it is a popular thing to do.  If I teach my girls the right things to do like, live in the presence of the Lord.  Respect your authorities.  Love on people.  Then, I have a great shot of my girls being awesome women. So far they are.  Even with the different mistakes they have made I believe in what I see in their hearts. Which is Christ. Here is my take on boys during this time which may not be popular with people.  If your ready for marriage then your ready to date. You know and I know that 99.9 percent of teenagers are not ready for marriage.  Shoot, most teens are just starting to think on their own without the aid of a "that" friend that all kids have that all parents hate I mean dislike ;).  Teens during this time need to focus on school, talents, family, friends,  figuring out who they are in Christ and just loving the Lord.  This will prepare them to be able to see godly men and women that will come into their lives and what God has for them in life. It may not be popular but it works. It saves them a lot of needless heartache and pain over some kid that wont want to talk to them in a week.  Quick side note. Mom, sometimes our young women think they are fully adults.  Please remind them forcefully that they are not!!  Dads, back your wife up!!  It takes at least a patient parent to handle teenagers and that parent is not me.  My wife does that well.  I do the "I love you so much that ill do the crazy stuff to show how much I love you thing".  Sometimes we switch off but most of the time it is what it is.  Ok, back to the fun of the social life of young women not in Jersey on E! or is it Bravo hmmmmm.  Anywho, I think so far my wife and I are doing a pretty good job at raising God's kids.  Yes, I said God's kids, not mine.  I think sometimes we forget who really made our children in the first place.  But, we try to raise them the way He wants them raised so He can do what He was gonna do anyways.  We try to give them freedom and they will always want more.  So don't be surprised when they are mad because you asked where they are going and who are they going to be with.  You know the questions you have been asking them for as long as they have been able to have fun with another kid.  Yet, somehow you don't trust them anymore.  Oh did I just go on a little tangent oops my bad.  So what was I saying oh yes we give a "inch" very slowly when necessary and we have no problem saying no or not now but we love to say Yes.  I do believe in speaking well of your kids because It gives them confidence and shows love.  I also believe in speaking well of your spouse because they like it plus it helps the kids see what they want to be or who they would like to have as a mate when they are older.  And they get older fast.  So enjoy it while it last and try not to kill them.  I know it is almost like they are asking to be punished but remember they are you when you was younger.  Well, teenagers can be very fun and very difficult but it is worth every bit of it to see them grow into awesome people who love the Lord.