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May, 2009

by Shannon K. Spellman, M.S.W.

Often in May I think of the use of the word "may" as it pertains to adolescents. It's about permission and possibility. "May I go?" "Yes you may" or "No you may not." "We may let you or we may not."

Often adolescents become demanding and plagued with some sort of entitlement affliction that results in them forgetting to be polite and ignoring who is the parent.

I remember that often the decision to allow me to go somewhere as a teen was based on my parents hearing me ask in the proper way by use of the word "may" rather than "can". If I ever used "can" they would reply with "I don't know, are you capable?"

Have you taught your kids the proper way of asking permission and the difference between may and can?

Did you see we have a forum for parents? We have a contest going on there also. Go check it out. It's free. There's a calendar in there with upcoming events, news, and a bunch of topics that parents are posting about.

Hey, do you have five minutes? Have you seen our movie?

Meanwhile, thanks for caring about adolescents and striving for responsible parenting.

We hope you enjoyed these free monthly parenting tips.

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Visit our Free Tips Archives to find more free parenting tips for parents of adolescents. Try entering your topics below and select search within our website to locate free parenting tips on numerous issues that parents of adolescents face in raising their teenagers.


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For Parents of Adolescents

May, 2009