RT> I've found that grades and extracurricular activities are extremely
 RT> important.  When a kid is busy making good grades, playing sports,
 RT> practicing music, learning martial arts, and working, he doesn't have
 RT> TIME for drugs and crime.  I insist that both of my kids stay
 RT> INVOLVED. And it isn't "all work and no play".  They both have fun
 RT> being teenagers, but if grades drop, the amenities go away until the
 RT> grades improve.  Works every time.
You are 100% correct. I remember talking with my wife several times about
activities which left little time to sleep, and that was with both of our
kids. These good activities become part of the self-esteem of the teen, and
they involve the teen with other kids involved in positive activities. On a
couple of occasions, my wife simply told me to be quiet, get dressed, and
stop complaining. She asked me if I would rather spend my time with drug
treatment or waiting to bond one of the kids out. You know what my answer
was. Nobody said that is easy to be the parent of a teenager, and there were
no guarantees of proper rest when we took the job.  The job can be very
rewarding and fun, but it is certain to put bags under your eyes and take
part of the spring out of your step.
Happy Holidays
Tom Rightmer - Victims' Rights Advocate
... Never trust a skinny cook.
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
---------------