>She still lives at home. Her HS graduation is in two weeks and she becomes a Badger in August.
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>Just wait, KG. Katy is going to develop a mind of her own, too. We all do. If you insist on enforcing your thoughts on her it will be a living hell for all of you. If you don't trust me just ask Tracy.
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>Mike, my wife and I are firm on this, there is no way we'll permit our daughter to do something like that while she's still under our roof. Obviously it was your decision to allow your daughter to do that, though I really wonder what you mean by "I allowed it out of respect".....respect for what? I've heard this "imposing will on children leads to them making things a living hell" for a long time and I think it's a load of crap.
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>Here's the secret - some (not all) parents are successful in raising a kid to be disinterested in these things. I've seen it happen and I know it can be done.
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>From my perspective, it sounds like you took the easy way out - opting to avoid conflict and mistaking it for respect.
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>No, I'm not saying that a teen who wants a bunch of tattoos or body piercings is being raised by a bad parent. A parent can do all the right things and still not have the best of outcomes. What I am saying is that my wife and I are going to raise Katy to value certain things above others. Yes, ultimately our daughter will need to make her own decisions, especially when we're not right there - all you can do is hope they carry the values you've taught them.
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>Personal view (and yes, this is my opinion) - I think tongue piercings are stupid and sick-looking.

I will take the tongue piercing over a huge nasty tattoo any day.

My point was that she was 17 and mature. It wasn't something I was enthusiastic about. We discussed it and I did enforce a waiting period of a week. But ultimately I considered it her decision. It wasn't taking the easy way out.

I realize there is no way you are going to agree with me now. Just wait, though. Katy is young enough that you can impose your will. That won't always be the case. Someday she will have a mind of her own. And you should be glad about that. I like to say that a parent's goal is to get the child to the point that you aren't needed any more.