Parenting Quick Tips • 10 Dos When Interacting with Your Teen's Friends

1) Do acknowledge them
          Hello. 
          Talk to them when they come in. Show some interest. Get to know them. 

2) Do show respect
          Grow up.
          Kids want to be treated like an adult, this is one area in which that works.

3) Do provide food
          Yum.
          Food always works. Feed them. Even let them have access to the kitchen.

4) Do be some fun
          Duh.
          Do something unexpected from the normal routine. Be a little playful.

5) Do avoid confrontations
          Yield.
          This isn't the time to correct your kid. Do that later, where you can discuss.

6) Do remember them
          Notice.
          Names, siblings, & unique things about them. Also, how your kid knows them.

7) Do make it peaceful
          Zen.
          An environment that's void of contention makes a place people want to be.

8) Do leave a little space
          Exit.
          Give them some room. Not the bedroom. But, some talking space to be private.

9) Do like them
          Enjoy. 
          Everyone has annoyances. Overlook them. See what your kid sees. Be open.

10) Do keep long hours
          Nap.
          It doesn't have to be 'open all night' but kids like late nights. Especially weekends.

Bonus: Do treat them like family
          Include.
          Everyone wants to belong. Somewhere. Make it you and yours that they think of as 'family' when they need to connect. How you interaction with your kid's friends, and your kid, will benefit everyone.

What do you do?