I happen to agree w/ Katie, I have 4 teenagers and 3 small ones, ages 16, 2 who are 15 and a 14 year old and they are in boy girl order. These years are so much harder then the younger years, I'd like to say it is only a girl thing but sadly it isn't! Hormones are hormones no matter what sex they are. I too allow the occasional swear word, so long as it is not directed at me! DO NOT TAKE YOUR DD'S ACTIONS PERSONALY! Because they are not!
I actually took everything from my older DD cause she thought she could do what she wants and act how she wants, she can not, I am the parent...period. There is no dating in my house until the age of 16 and only if you have proven you are responsible and you keep your grades up. That is probably the one area where there is no "talking about it". Lies are not tolerated under any circumstance, no matter how big or small, That is an istant loss of phones, mp3's and computer privlages. My kids have learned to just tell me the truth, I may not always like what they say but thier is never a punishment for telling the truth, there might be consequences, like extra chores or they might have to right a paper on why their actions were wrong but they won't loose everything, and their lives will stay almost the same.
My 15 year old son has started to let a grade slip in class, and it has been this way since the beggining of school, well he has know lost his Mp3, video games, computer time, No track for him, he is very athletic and will loose his drivers training class, he also can't go off campus for lunch (small town not many places to go) and if by the next report card he hasn't brough the grade up he will loose his chance at playing football again this year. Education is everything in my house, they are bright and talented kids capable of going far in life, and I will not allow them to ruin their lives. Tough love is hard and for some kids it is the only way to get them to uderstand that you are not going to play their games. They are smart buggers, and learn very early on how to manipulate a situation, we have to learn how to turn it back on them. Good luck all parents of teens need it!