As A 16 year old

[caslass]

As a 16 year old girl I was told I had to be in at 9.30pm. This was every night including weekends. One Saturday I was late by about 5 minutes. The way my father went on you would think I was hours late not minutes. After he had gone on and on I said "What do you think I can do after 9.30 that I can't do before" Big mistake. Grounded for a month no pocket money and heaps of household chores. Did it teach me to keep my mouth shut. No. So give your account of foot in mouth.

[andy-hughes]

As a dad of three daughters - all grown with their own children now - I do understand your dad's anxiety, but i also think he is a little OTT.

Your dad is finding the transition from his little girl into someone else's (some spotty hormone-infested youth with gonads like howitzers!) big girl, but he'll get there. You just need to help him ease into the transition.

You are becoming an adult, and want him to treat you like one. Fine - act and talk like one, and you have a good argument. That means being in on the dot, and if you are late, you have a sincere apology ready.

What can you do after 9:30 that you can't do before? Nothing - but underlining that to your dad when he is worrying about you, and he already thinks and knows that anyway - is not helping!

Let him meet your friends / boyfriends. Include him. Let him see that you are going to be a sensible responsible adult - and know the values he has taught you - it takes time, but he will get there.

So - my foot-in mouth? None - obviously, I am a parent, and therefore perfect beyond reproach.

My chidren's feet-in-mouths - I'd be here all night!!!

Hope this helps.

[lankeela]

Not sure that caslass meant this happened recently - she did say 'as a 16 year old girl she had to be in at 9.30.

[granny grump]

Nothing changes caslass. I'm 62 and was one of 4 girls with two older brothers. If my dad didn't ground me they would. My dad was a bus driver and I remember him stopping the bus beside me in the high street about 18.30 at night I was 16 and in front of my friends told me to get home.

I always advised boyfriends not to call at the house but one a bit braver than the others and knocked the door. My dad answered it and came in to say - there is somthing out side for your sister and it's about that big (indicating about 3ft off the floor)- one of my sisters didnt miss a beat and said - 'that will be Ray but he's bigger than that!' It will always be that way with fathers who care

[sophie_1003]

Not my story but my brother went to see a 15 certificate film when he was 14, he was charged for an adult ticket and when he questioned it they told him child prices stopped at age 15, he blurted out "But I'm only 14!" they wouldn't let him in to the film!