What are 5 Secrets Teens Don’t Want Their Parents to Know?

So, you think you teen has no secrets?  Here are a few things you will probably want to find out, but don’t bet on your teen being real excited about your asking.

5 secrets teens don’t want their parents to know

  1. How many e-mail, facebook, twitter (etc.) accounts they really have (under different names or groups).
  2. How much they know, and you don’t, about social media and how it works.
  3. What the terms “friend” means today for many (not all). For example, when you say “Who are your friends?” you need to clarify. Unfortunately, kids can say “he/she is my ‘friend,'” and that may have a sexual relationship incorporated in that term.  We have to be careful not to assume either way.  Point: We need to know our kids.
  4. Their eating habits – like how much caffeine they take in each day/night.
  5. They really want you to say “No” to some things. I can’t tell you how many times (although I’m not saying it’s right) I’ve had teen guys say to me in an accusatory tone  “I wish my parents would have just told me “no”.  The teens  admit they would probably not have responded well, initially.  But they also say it would have been helpful.

Sure, there are a ton more.  So what’s the point?  Talk to your teen.  Be active in navigating the waters of your teen’s life. Get the secrets out in the open between you and your teen and work them through.  God does have answers to life’s challenging situations and questions : Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3

Andy Woodall
Andy Woodall served as the Pastor of Student Ministries at Faith from 1999-2012.