Legal Question in Family Law in New York

Re: Child Control

I suppose you can lock your daughter in the house and never let her leave, or you can lock the door and not allow the boy in the house, but I'm afraid its realistically too late to prevent your daughter from participating in the real world with real problems.

Perhaps a better idea is to have both you and your wife sit down with your daughter and talk, really talk, about what's going on in her life. Reassure her that you love her and let her know she can come to you with any problems or questions. Believe it or not, as cocky and as condescending as most teenagers are, most are really insecure and afraid of their parents. Also if you and yor wife haven't yet, it's time to have a talk with your daughter about the realities of sex and sexual responsibility. It would probably be best for your wife to do this.

This situation is senstive and needs a good deal of tact and agility. I know its difficult for you as parents to see your little girl in a real "Grown up" situation, and I know you just want to protect her, but you can't. The best thing you can do for your relationship is to maintain as much influence, influence, not control, while you still can. Because once she turns 18, she will be an adult. And once she's an adult your daughter no longer has to listen to you. And she will only listen to you as much as she is willing. She will be able to do anything (legally) that she wants to.

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