A few weeks ago, I read a book called Teen Tips: A Practical Survival Guide for Parents With Kid 11 to 19, by Tom McMahon, 2003.  He cited at the beginning of the book “Parents’ Bill of Right and Responsibilities” created by Tri-City Substance Abuse Coalition.  I thought it funny nowadays everybody wants some kind of rights.  I was more curious than serious before I read them.
” (1) We, as parents, have a right to be treated with respect.
(2) We have the right to say no and not feel guilty
(3) We have the right to know where our kids are, who their friends are, and who they are with at any time.
(4) We have the right to demonstrate we care by occasionally verifying or spot-checking our children’s whereabouts. We may, for example, call host parents on parties or overnight stays.
(5) We have the right to set a curfew and enforce it with restrictions and loss of privileges.
(6) We have the right not to condone any alcohol or drug usage and to say no to attendance activities where alcohol or drug usage may occur.
(7) We have the right to make mistakes and/or change our minds.
(8) We have the right to ask questions and expect answers about all things which may affect our children.
(9) We have the right to monitor all school-related activities: academic, behavior, and social.
(10) We have the right to know and consult with adults who influence our children’s lives, i.e. coaches, employers, teachers, youth group leaders, ministers and counselors.
(11) We have the right to know what is happening within our own home, to set ‘house rules,’ and know the identity of guests who come into our house.
(12) We have the right to assign our kids chores and other family responsibilities appropriate to their ages.
(13) We have the right to promote time together, as a family, which may include meals, outings, study times, and the planned activities.
(14) We have the right to be authoritative when logical explanation and reason have not succeeded.
(15) We have the right to have family rules and consistently enforce them with appropriate consequence.”

Nothing funny by now. I will post my comments on these rights tomorrow.