2k I want to be the kind of mother that my daughter can talk to, and be able to tell me anything. People may disapprove of the way I handle my daughter, she is 18 now by the way. I always stressed that I wanted her to talk to me about everything, and I am not one of those parents that says no my daughter would never do "that". I am lucky enough to know that she does talk to me about just about everything, including sex. I have learned you don't get angry and start yelling at them, that does nothing but turn them off, and then how do you try to point them in the right direction if they have stopped listening. Always be ready to listen to your teenager without yelling. It works so great.

Lin has told me a lot of the things she does. I am not saying she doesn't keep secrets from me, I know she does.

I don't want to be one of those people that ends up in the er, waiting to find out if my child is dead or alive. Thats why I would rather she not sneak around behind my back to drink. She knows this.

I have raised 2 other children that are now living out on their own, and I tell them the same thing, never, never yell at your child for telling you the truth. Be there for them, I always told them, I may not approve of what you do, and may even lecture a little, but I will never yell.

Willie