Cara Blatney and Chrissy Rooney at Middle School Parent Exchange program on raising teens.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

Many parents came out to share their ideas and listen to advice on how to deal with tough adolescent issues.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

Parents worry about their kids when it comes to issues like texting, Facebook, peer pressure, bullying and gossip. And on Wednesday, they met at the Parent Exchange at Middlesex Middle School to share views on these topics and more. Parents like Cara Blatney and Chrissy Rooney thought it was very useful.

"It helps to hear what other parents have to say," said Blatney. "It was very informative." The session was put together by the YWCA's Parent Awareness Network and moderated by Middlesex principal Debi Boccanfuso, who answered questions and shared her experiences as both educator and parent. Parents in the audience were encouraged to share their ideas and strategies for raising kids through the tough adolescent years

Technology was one of the biggest issues. Parents had questions about how to handle their kids constantly talking on cell phones, as well as the dangers of texting and using social networking sites like Facebook. Some thought their kids shouldn't have access to this technology, while others believed it should be closely monitored.

"We're struggling with that right now," said Rooney. "My son in seventh grade just got e-mail. And then there's the phone issue. It's crazy."

One parent shared her thoughts on parents who allow their kids to have phones that they might not necessarily need. "Parents are the ones getting them, the kids aren't purchasing phones by themselves," she said. "I understand that parents want to be in contact with their kids, but they can get phones without a camera and without texting capability. They'll be doing their kids a great favor."

Blatney and Rooney both felt Boccanfuso did a good job moderating the program and offering useful advice, such as waiting until kids are older to allow them to have their own computers and laptops. "My son wants a laptop, but it was good to hear that we should wait," said Blatney. "But I think it helps that she is a parent as well as head of the school. She offered a good perspective on how the kids think and feel."