Re: The Teenager's Mantra

if it's needed, simply explain to her why the parents have done what they did. you probably have the ability to understand their behavior better than she can--you've seen it, and probalby lived it before.

in the case, it could be that

"you mom/dad would like to know if you eat somehwere else, so they dont have to fix extra food/wait for you to show up"

"they wanted to know, so they would have an idea if they needed to prepare something you liked, or could have something they liked"

"maybe they thought you would be home in time to eat, and were upset that you stayed too late"

etc. etc.

imho, the best way to go about it is de-escalate tehir hatred for the parents over soemthing goofy like that. most parents dont deserve their kids wrath, but the parents also dont have enough respect for their children to explain everything--sometimes even parents CANT explain everything... they just dont know why they do some things that they do.

talking to her and saying "i dont know why they'd do that" is all the answer they need, or, even "ugh, that sucks"--just let them know that you ahd parents do stupid thigns to you a few times, and it wasnt the end of the world, and it was usualy for your own good, even if you couldnt see it.

the happier they are with their parents.. the happier the kids are. the most angry/rebellios/mean girls are ones who hate their parents most.

~M~