Dilemma - my 16-year old

[Girls can too]

Originally posted by Unit 5302
If you're gonna set punishment in stone, you not only set it for the child, but for yourself. I hate it when I see parents tell their child what is going to happen if they break rules and then back out of it.

This was my point exactly. I have certain rules that are NOT to be broken, usually set in place for a good reason, many that could save her life. Not to be unfair, controlling, a Grinch, etc. How is she supposed to respect me if I don't follow through on my own rules? I wouldn't have respected my mom if she backtracked. I kept my nose clean as a teen because I knew my butt was grass if I broke those key rules. Looking back, I know they kept me alive too.