I'm not sure if this is global, but: here in the suburbs of [Deep Harbor + Angular Music Building], when you give a tween/teen birthday party, you get A LOAD OF RUBBISHY PRESENTS which then lie around, getting dusty and waiting to be stepped on.

You may imagine me surrounded by bottles of pink bath gel with collars of pink fur and sparkles around the neck (the bottles, not me). DSD (14) hates pink and we all shower - quickly! Bring on the regifting box and the home made presents!

Good topic, Madwoman! What say you, MotherTalkers? -Elisa

My dear stepdaughter (DSD) is 14. There are four of us adults (both divorced parents have new long term partners) spoiling her. We do talk amongst ourselves and have a united front, but we're usually united in indulging her.

This afternoon DSD wanted to go to the mall after school, and the group of four friends decided to see a movie, and what with one thing and another she didn't get home until 8:30 (bedtime is 9) and her homework was very rushed and she didn't get to bed until 9:30 - and this is a girl who very much needs her sleep. We HAD a "no movies on weeknights" rule (from the last time I took her to a movie on a weeknight and it went badly) but we forgot.

We have also let her go to concerts on school nights - if it's a band she really likes and that's the only night they are in town. The next one is next Monday. My partner has heard from other families (at parent teacher night) that they don't approve and our rules look slack compared to theirs. Do other parents of teenagers, or those of you who used to be teenagers yourselves :), have any advice?

If any USians would like to write parenting postings like an Australian, here are some of the key differences in terminology -  US version then the Aussie common term. (Australians please feel free to correct me, I'm still learning!)

Mom, Mommy  >>  Mum, Mummy
7th grade, 8th grade...  >>  Year 7, Year 8
Hamburger, ground beef  >>  Mince
Catsup, ketchup  >>  Tomato sauce
Cell phone  >>  Mobile