My daughter Kaelyn recently started middle school as a 6th grader. It was a bit of adjustment switching from one class with one teacher to five teachers in six classes but she hit the ground running. It is a different school than she was supposed to attend so, as a result, all of her friends from last year are not in the same school. That was a bit tough for her. Fortunately, she has made friends and even had a sleep-over with a few of them this past weekend.

A parent always worries about their children’s friends and the influence they have on them. You trust that you’ve raised them well and that all the many lessons and examples sunk in. Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how much you teach your kids, they will make decisions that you disagree with.

Due to the influence of her newest friends Kaelyn has decided to use her hard-earned money to buy a Nintendo DS Lite.

What should I do? Can I love her still? Can I tolerate such deliberate rebellion in our household? I’ll do my best.

P.S. If for some reason you are confused, it will probably help to know where I work.