by Sue D.
Member since:
December 16, 2006

I Was Brave to Allow a Teenage Party..

December 28, 2008 01:20 PM EST
views: 123 | comments: 37

My  house is the spot to hang out for the teenagers in the neighborhood.  I like having them there, because I know that they are safe.  I am cool, but tough on them.  I don't allow drugs, alcohol, spitting, trash or girls swearing.  I make them pick up after themselves, and help take out the trash.  Most of them do not have great homes, and I am sometimes surprised that they like to hang out here.  I guess it is true that the kids like boundaries. 

 

My son's good friend just left for Las Vegas to start a new life.  She has a family that is taking her in, and helping her get a job.  The kids got together to wish her good luck.

 

 

I held her one night, when she found out her boyfriend cheated on her.  I told her not to ever let a guy think you are not good enough.  I am  happy to see her move on, and make a new life for herself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The party lasted into the wee hours of the morning, and several of the kids stayed the night. 

 

 

 

 

 

They all cleaned up the mess in the morning, and played guitar hero. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck Rebecca!  We will miss  you. 
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Comments: 37

♥~♥Czella♥~♥ K. Dec 28, 2008, 1:22pm EST
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Christine K. Dec 28, 2008, 1:23pm EST
I hope everything goes well for her! So nice of you to let them have they're get together in your home!
j - Frugal Mom - r. Dec 28, 2008, 1:25pm EST
It sounds like a fun night.
quidnuncsimcha .. Dec 28, 2008, 1:27pm EST
Yeah, Kids need a safe place to get together. This is especially true in small towns.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Dec 28, 2008, 1:33pm EST
That is so cool that you do that.
Richard Frisbie Dec 28, 2008, 1:35pm EST
It's good to keep kids safe - Congratulations!
mary bryant Dec 28, 2008, 1:36pm EST
good luck to her
Janet "Jax" B. Dec 28, 2008, 1:40pm EST
That's Great Sue! Growing up, our house was the 'Kool Aid' house...all my brothers' friends hung out there....and you know, some of them still go over to talk to my parents....and bring their kids.
Mrslisae Photography E. Dec 28, 2008, 1:53pm EST
nice, my sister has a "hang out house" but her theory is they're going to try stuff it may as well be there..no way I'd allow that junk in my house, good for you!
Lee P. Dec 28, 2008, 1:53pm EST
What a wonderful person you are. I thank you for them, because you deserve a thank you. It's always nice to know where your kids are and if they are at your house having a good time you "do" know where they are. I too wish this young lady much happiness and success in her new life. The pictures are wonderful and they also tell a story.

Thank you for sharing.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Dec 28, 2008, 1:54pm EST
All of my kids' friends seemed to like to hang out will me more than my kids did! Of course, now, I've got a 33 year old back in the house... So maybe she changed her mind! lol!
Gretchen Lee Bourquin Dec 28, 2008, 1:55pm EST
Respect is a 2 way street. It sounds like you show these kids a lot of respect, and you are getting it in return. Good for you.
Tiffany G. Dec 28, 2008, 1:59pm EST
thats neat!
Elaine A. Dec 28, 2008, 2:07pm EST
Great photo's. How cool that they cleaned up for you, sounds & looks like everyone had a great time
MrsRoad Runner Dec 28, 2008, 2:11pm EST
Right on!
Kids do need a accepting place like yours!
We never know what little thing we might do that changes a life, or just makes life a little better.
Way to go!
Mary (diet dr pepper junkie) T. Dec 28, 2008, 2:12pm EST
So you're THE house in your neighborhood. ha. We are the house in ours. My son's friends all congregate at our house and while we don't allow stupid stuff they have a lot of fun here on the ps3 and listening to music and even board games sometimes. Apples to Apples is very popular! ha.
Heather M. Dec 28, 2008, 3:01pm EST
that is sweet
Elsie Duggan Dec 28, 2008, 3:16pm EST
I think that it is great that you had the party Sue, always threw them too, always knew where my kids were, and other kids liked our place too. We were very strict parents and I think you are right, kids like boundaries that are safe. I still meet kids' now in their fifties, who say what a great time they had at our house. I am so glad you showed the pictures, reminds me now of Billy's friends, guitars and all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Sue, and y es you were brave, lo.
Cecilia Lyne Dec 28, 2008, 4:12pm EST
that was nice of you
Alison H. Dec 28, 2008, 7:24pm EST
Glad that having the teens' neighborhood house is working out for you! You're a great example for them...
David W. Dec 28, 2008, 7:25pm EST
It sounds a little like my house as my kids were growing up.
Lisa B. Dec 28, 2008, 7:43pm EST
I think its cool that you let them hang out at your house.
Karen M. Dec 28, 2008, 8:05pm EST
Teens need a place to kick back...good for you
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Dec 29, 2008, 4:07pm EST
I think it's so cool that your house is "the place" to hang out...and it's cool that you welcome everyone. May all of this come back to you a thousand times!
Dawn M Dec 29, 2008, 4:17pm EST
Teens need a safe, warm place to go, and to know they are welcome, and it's great that you are able to open your house up to them. I had a place like that where I was able to hang out as a teenager, and I still go to visit the wonderful couple who opened up their home. Even now they hold a very special place in my heart.
© MrBill   Dec 30, 2008, 2:00am EST
... safe harbor ...

every neighborhood needs a "mom"
it's wonderful that you can open
your home, and yourself, for your
kids' friends, and good they trust to
share joy, pains, and secrets with you.
Ken K. Dec 30, 2008, 9:44pm EST
You are great for allowing this..
APE 131313 Dec 31, 2008, 2:32pm EST
Paying It Forward ....and have a Happy New Year 2009
Dena Straughn Jan 2, 2009, 12:59am EST
How nice of you. I had a lot of nights like that when my kids were still home. I always felt priviledged that they let me in their lives. So many parents seemed oblivious and ambiguous where their teens were concerned.

Just dropping in to wish you a wonderful new year filled with God's blessing and hope and great love!
William M. Jan 5, 2009, 8:03pm EST
An excellent thing to do.
APE 131313 Jan 13, 2009, 4:44pm EST
Thank you for the opportunity to P I F for 2009!
Enjoying my visits to your pages to help you reach your latest Gather goals!
Sandra L. Jan 20, 2009, 9:59pm EST
It's people like you that give us moms a good name!
Chris L Jan 21, 2009, 11:09am EST
All the kids like to hang out by me too. It's alot of fun.
Kathy D. Feb 7, 2009, 8:14pm EST
you are a brave woman!
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Mar 15, 2009, 10:35pm EDT
That was nice of you to have all the kids at your house.
Sue,
This is wonderful - when Dave was younger (he's 31), we were the same thing and we're also in a small town. Every now and then, Dave would get upset with us because those of the kids that were allowed to stay out all night, with no suprevision invited him too, and we'd always say no and explain how much trouble they could get into. Well, invariably, those same kids would end up at our house, to our son's surprise, as it wasn't that much fun to have "no" suprevision and basically nowhere to go. Usually the Mom/Dad would not be home and it was a convenient way to "get rid of the kids" for the night. They ended up staying over.

We were also strict, but fair and nobody had a problem with that. Good for you!

Marilyn (who just found a group of yours, joined it and then saw THIS, and wanted to read it!)

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