D.E. asks from Mc Lean, VA on October 15, 2010
18 Year Old High School Senior Curfew and House Rules
My 17 year daughter turns 18 next week. Wanted some input on what her curfew should be for school nights and weekends. She currently works part-time and is responsible with her job and school work. She had talked earlier this year about moving out and getting an apartment with her boyfriend (same age, same high school). We told her that if that was her choice, we wanted her to understand that we keep the car (we pay for insurance) and she would be on her own for college. That talk ended quickly, but not quietly. So, we can only anticipate what she feels about any rules we will tell her about in the next few days. Her current curfew is 10:00 during the week. She does have a 7:30 class every day at school and on weekends, curfew is 11:30. She also has early release from school getting out at 1:45 one day and 11:30 the next day. So, she and her boyfriend have plenty of free time together. In fact, she spends almost all free time with him. She is a good student but is feeling her oats and ready to spread her wings and fly. Any suggestions on curfews and/or house rules we should give her going forward?
Featured Answers
R.S. answers from Washington DC on October 16, 2010
I would talk to her about what she thinks is reasonable and try to compromise. Not too much of an answer, but there it is :)
V.W. answers from Minneapolis on October 16, 2010
What my parents did for me was this...
It was my decision whether or not I was sleeping at home or at some one else's house for the night, but if I was coming home I had to be home at midnight so that they could lock the doors and go to bed at a reasonable time.
Maybe try something like that with her, but with the added rule that she has to spend X amount of nights at home so that she isn't sleeping over at her boyfriend's house all the time.
More Answers
L.A. answers from Austin on October 15, 2010
No moving out till she is graduated from High School..
I like that you let her know she cannot take the car if she did move out.
11:00 during week, 12:00 weekends for curfew as long as she keeps her grades up.
Also no moaning in the morning.. She will learn about sleep.. Let her know you cannot sleep if she is not in house safe.and all of the locks are on.. .
Our daughter used to stay up (not out) till 1:00am in High school.. She is now in College and does not go to bed till 2 and 3 am.. Of course she makes it work and is always on the Dean's List, so it works for her..
She needs to do her own laundry and have chores around the house just as if she were a house mate..
Also just like a house mate, she needs to keep in touch about her whereabouts, so that if something were to happen you would know she is not on her schedule and needs to be checked on.. Even our daughter does this up at college.. They worry about each other if one of the girls is not where she said she would be..
3 moms found this helpful
C.P. answers from Provo on October 15, 2010
I am really more into teaching responsibility then a strict curfew. My daughter is going to be twenty next month. I gave her a curfew of 9:00 in the weekdays and 11:00 on the weekends. By the time she turned 18 she realized the importance of sleep and the effect on her grades. She always keeps her GPA up and found it to be a lot harder on too little of sleep. Now she is in college in another state and I am glad that she is responsible and can keep her grades up and maintain her scholarship.
3 moms found this helpful
R.. answers from Austin on October 15, 2010
I think, that at 18 years old, I would go with an 10:30-11:00 weekday curfew, and a 12:00 weekend... Especially if she is responsible at work and school.
Personally, I wasn't given any curfew at all from the time I turned 15. That was when I started working, and I often worked late. Sometimes I wanted to hang out with friends a little after I got off... My dad knew I was responsible, and I rarely came home after 10-11 anyway, so he wasn't too strict about it. The rule was that as long as my grades were up, I was able to function during the day, and I wasn't out getting into trouble and partying, I could do what I wanted. I was the only one of my siblings with this rule, because none of them were able to responsibly handle the freedom... so they got flat-out curfews. It really depends on the person.
3 moms found this helpful
L.C. answers from Washington DC on October 16, 2010
My house, my rules.
If I'm paying for your car insurance and your college tuition, you do what I say. I've been telling my almost 18 year old that since he was in middle school. He has seen friends act up and move out - their consequence: not be able to attend the college of their choice. I'm sure that was a toughy for the parents, but it set the tone for the rest of the group of kids who know that young man.
If you decide to move out - so be it. But, if you are moving, you are obviously an adult and you can make your own decisions -- BUT you can also pay your own bills.
LBC
2 moms found this helpful
A.H. answers from Birmingham on October 16, 2010
I know I am a harda$$, but, your house, your rules. My son graduated from HS in '09. By the last semester, 'all' of his friends had no curfew, etc. Well, the rules we laid down were that he was home by 10:30 on school night, midnight on Friday and Saturday, and negotiable for special occassions. He was not happy about it and there were a lot of 'discussions', but my house, my rules. It is now a year and a half later, he is in college and doing well. He thanked me for the curfew a few days ago. Some of his friends got in real trouble and some of his friends failed classes and did not graduate on time. I know he was and she is 18, but they still need to follow your rules because your house is a home and other people live there. She needs to respect you guys and your home...Just my thoughts. I hope everything works out!
2 moms found this helpful
D.U. answers from Washington DC on October 16, 2010
Your house, Your rules. Adulthood is not an age. If you want the privilege, you also have the responsibility. If it is against your values to have her live with her boyfriend, you have every right to cut off the college money. If she wants to live on her own, than she pays for Everything. (Does she make enough for food, rent, clothes, insurance, etc.?) Maybe just looking at the $$ side of things would open her eyes. Make sure she knows the rules, and then follow through. She must remain respectful to you and your household. I personally think they are too young to move out if they are still in high school. I think curfews should stay the same. Nothing else has changed except that she is another day older, so why should the rules change? Sounds like you are making great decisions!
2 moms found this helpful
G.B. answers from Tulsa on October 17, 2010
If she obeys you then you are lucky. It is so hard to be this age. A legal adult still treated like a child. If she can't regulate her own life by now then how is she going to do it in a few months at college. She will be free for the first time in her life and it won't be while she's living a home and in a protected environment. If she stays up all night and doesn't go to class the consequences can be life long because her grades will reflect that. She needs to be able to make good and bad decisions so she can learn for herself.
I think by the time a child reaches 18 they should be able to make their own decisions regardless of living at home or in another arrangement. They have had 18 years of training and need the freedom to use it.
Telling her you won't pay for college is just emotional blackmail to me. Yes, it is your money to do with as you please. She can't get financial aid for year or more after moving out, even if she's married or living with the boyfriend and has kids. If she really wants to go to college and can't find a way then she may never try again and never get a degree.
2 moms found this helpful
A.C. answers from Jacksonville on October 16, 2010
Wow, I thought I had it bad in high school, I'm about to call my mom and apologize...When I was 18 (ten years ago but it sure doesn't feel that long) I had to be home at 10:30 on the weeknights and 130 on the weekends. If she is a responsible young adult and she keeps up her school, work, and family commitments then I say give her a little freedom. Only then will she be prepared to live on her own even if that is at college for the first time. She won't feel so eager to run out and "do whatever she wants" if she has been able to a stretch her legs a bit at home first.
2 moms found this helpful
Email