As a parent, I feel as though I am learning how to do this job that I accepted each and every day of my life. It is ever changing, ever challenging. With a teenager, I am constantly finding myself in the midst of new scenarios that I did not see coming. But, I hope that by doing the best I can, my kids will end up happy adults when they leave.

Grades are a big thing in my house. The teen does not apply herself towards getting the best grades that she can, and it honestly frustrates me to no end! Add to this the "wonderful" addition of online grades and I have been able to tell exactly when she decides she doesn't want to turn in assignments, what tests she didn't study for and where she is doing well on a daily basis. Really, overkill.

She & I had an agreement at the end of summer, based on the # of outside activities she wanted to be involved in and the cost of them: no grade lower than the B range will be accepted. One C and she is removed from said expensive activities.

She met the challenge 1st trimester and drummed up her own additional bargain with me for 2nd tri. I am allowing her to succeed or fail in her classes without checking on her through online grades. I will only check 2-3 times this semester, with my first glance being today - the last day of school before Winter break.

Last tri was tough - lots of discussions about studying, turning in assignments and taking on too much. I just checked her grades a moment ago - an A in each class, with all assignments accounted for and test/quiz grades reflecting good study habits.

Maybe I have learned something from my teen. If I give her the chance to work on her own, fail or soar without my constant vigilance. . . . maybe she will just soar higher than she ever could have with me trying to push her off that ledge.