Teens and Their Flock-like Behaviour

If you live in the Country, you probably know about sheep and sheep behavior. They stay together and do everything together. Where one sheep goes, the others follow. They also look the same. The same behavior can be found with teen-agers.

Many folks don't like teens that much. They seem to have forgotten that not that long ago they were exactly the same. But I like teens; because I do remember being one of them once. I remember the mood-swings and the tantrums, and feeling that although I was wrong, I wanted to be right anyway. And I wanted to be part of a group.

When you are very young, you are dependent on parents, for nearly everything, ranging from food to clothes to love and understanding. But there comes a certain point where the teen feels they have learned enough of all that and there is a need to join something else. Of course, we as parents still have to supply them with material stuff , give them a roof over their heads, and tell them we love them but they start feeling a bit independent. Not every parent hangs out the National flag and throws a party at that prospect. In fact, they mourn the loss of their "baby". Where have the years gone, they ask themselves. Of course if they would only look in the mirror these parents could clearly see that they have "matured" too. But those wrinkles didn't come there by themselves; worries over kids premature a lot of once-hunks and beauty-queens. So while your "baby" was growing up, you were simply growing old.

Partly leaving the warm nest is the best option for a teen. After all, bird-mothers throw their young out of the nest in a couple of weeks of nesting; the moment the fledgling can fly the nest is boarded up until next year. And see where that attitude ends, I have 5 cats so don't ask me about it. So while you still provide them with all the essentials your teen wants to find a new "flock". After all, the old one (your home)was a bit restrictive and old-fashioned. And since they never, ever agreed with you anyway the best thing is to find a flock where the members all agree. And so they socialize with other teens.