Exactly.

I am sure Kevin and Gwen are going to raise a fine child. Nor do I doubt their best intentions. I just think he's naive about how long complete parental control lasts. Heck, it doesn't even last as long as he seems to think it does. By about 12 or 13 their friends become more important to them than their parents. That's not just my experience, it seems nearly universal.

>Call us back in 2024. I'll be interested to see how it went.
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>>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.