As parents,you will never stop feeling the need to protect your kids.One of the most difficult
parts of being a parent is learning how to let go.
      Let your teens make mistakes.You show that you trust your teens enough to let them try
something on their own,and you let your teens learn from experience.Since the saying is true
that experience is the best teacher,letting your teens make mistakes can help them develop
instinct and decisionmaking ability.
     When you let your teens make mistakes,it does not mean you are turning them loose
without any guidance.It simply means that you are giving up some control over their life and
allowing your teens to test the waters.It is the only way your teens will develop a sense of
self and a level of independence to be successful adults.
     When you let your teens make mistakes,it also means that you allow your teens to be
less than perfect.It means allowing your teens to be human,to be imperfect.Let your teens
know that it is OK to make mistakes and OK to try new things,even if they are not successful.
     Since the other way that teens learn best is by example,be willing to allow yourself to
make mistakes,too.If you let your teens make mistakes,it won't go over well if you are beating
yourself up over making a mistake.Show your teens that you can forgive yourself,too,and your
teens will be more likely to believe you when you forgive their mistakes as well.
     Twentyfirst century teens live in a different world from the world most of us grow up in.
They have instant access to information and overexposure to the media.It's not as simple as
it was,but that does not mean you cannot still raise thoughtful,conscientious,productive teens.
You won't be able to protect them from everything,and it's OK to let your teens make
mistakes,because what is really important is being there to help them learn from the mistakes
they made and apply what they learned to becoming better people.