[Stormieweather]

But what's wrong with sex? As long as it isn't promiscuous or indescriminate and there are other interests and intellectual pursuits, that is. I'm certainly not young but I see nothing wrong with having a healthy sex life and celebrating my body (such as it is, sags and all).

I've always been fairly easy going with allowing my kids to find their own forms of expression and style, even when I thought it was horrendous or obnoxious. The less I fuss over it, the less likely they are to use such things as a form of rebellion. In middle school, she went through a sort of goth stage. She wore the largest, baggiest pants she could find (size 40's wrapped around her size 0 waist and dragging on the ground), mens work shirts, spiked dog collars and stiff-as-a-board hair. It was nasty, ugly and gross. I tolerated it. And sure enough, she grew out of it and began dressing like a young lady again when she started high school.

Why did she want her tongue pierced? Because most of her friends had theirs done, of course. I decided (yes me, her father refuses to be involved in parenting) that a piercing like that could be removed and the hole would heal up, if she ever decides to get rid of it as opposed to a tattoo or face piercing which would leave permanent disfigurement.

The good news is they've turned out great so far. No criminals, junkies, alcoholics, or gangsters. She and my 18 yr old are respectful, helpful, and well mannered. They've developed a more mainstream style as they've matured which I think is common if their experimentations are gently guided instead of suppressed.

Now, my 10 yr old may be another story.

Stormie