A surprising and precious key my husband and I have found to keeping our own teens and their friends hanging at our home is our interaction with them. They help us make the taco and ice cream sundae bars and bake the cookies. We make it a point to get to know each child that enters our home and work hard to build a rapport, listening carefully for clues as to their interests. What we have found is that teens are desperate for caring adult interaction and affirmation.

We've discovered that teens would rather be in a warm, loving home with limits and expectations for conduct than they would be roaming the streets or just sitting in front of the computer screen hour after hour. But they probably won't come right out and tell you that. It's up to you, mom and dad, to take the initiative to create an environment that fosters fun and friendship. Just don't forget the earplugs!