1. Be patient! This may be the hardest tip of all. You want that sweet child of yours back that you had before the stormy teen years and you want him or her now! While you know this is truly not possible it is a hard fantasy for any parent to give up. By being patient and understanding that this is a difficult time of transition for your teen who is facing adulthood but wanting to go back to the safety of being a child you can forge a little calm for both of you in the midst of the storm. Give them some time and space as long as it is safe and acceptable to do so and you could be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Remember teen hood does not last forever but your impatient actions and words can leave a lasting impression.

2. Be fair but firm. Despite their wanted independence teenagers still need firm guidelines. Curfew, rules about driving and conduct should all be enforced with your teen. While your teenager may fight against these rules and you may be tempted to throw your hands in the air and give up-don't! Research shows that teenagers raised in a home with firm boundaries and guidelines (and consequences) for their actions later become the more successful adults. In the same vein be sure that your rules and boundaries are at least reasonable so that your teenager does not have to come home two hours before everyone else. While some rules are non-negotiable(driving and drinking) sometimes a call to another set of parents can shed some light on a what is a reasonable curfew or can give you some insight on how many hours their child is spending doing homework. The bottom line is though you must stand firm with what you think is right for your teen.

3. Be informed about what is going on in your teen's life. While no one advocates spying it is crucial today that parent's are aware of what type of music their teen is listening to, what websites are being visited by them and even what video games they are playing. While your teen may chafe at a perceived lack of privacy it is still reasonable for parents to demand access to their teen's computer and cell phone. Explain to them that if they have nothing to hide these requests are not a big deal. Ask to meet your teen's friends and even their parents if possible. Encourage your teen to invite friends over and you may really be able to see a picture of your teen's life. Be sure that as a parent you understand the signs of drug use, gang involvement, depression, and sexual activeness. Remember no one loves your child as much as you do and burying your head in the sand because an issue seems to large or you hope it will go away, will only make things worse in the long run.