Giving teens room to grow while guarding them is a balancing act. But there are some things you simply must know about your teen’s friends. First, get to know them. Learn more about their friends by having them over to your house. You'll learn a lot through casual conversation. Second, get to know their parents. Introduce yourself to them and try to discern whether they have the same parenting mind-set.  Third, get to know the details of where your teen and their friends are going, who else will be there and what they’ll be doing. Then, when your teen comes home, be there and be available just in case they want to open up and talk. 

For more on this topic on my blog, go to MarkMerrill.com.