Would you read your Teens diary? (to ensure they are not getting into any trouble)?

No, I wouldn't read my child's diary. If I expect my child to respect me, I must treat her with respect. There are other ways to know what's going on with your teen than to betray trust and violate their private thoughts.

Talking with your teen openly and without judgement (hard to do sometimes but it pays off in the long run) is the best way to keep the doors of communication open and prevent problems before they get too big to handle.

As as matter of routine, no. Nor, would I read it out of curiosity. I am a big fan of privacy.

However, I am her mother, and I am responsible for her welfare and her actions. If there were any indication that she were in serious trouble, danger, or bringing harm to herself; and the answers might be inside.........yes, I would. It is my duty to protect and guide her.

That duty surpasses the privacy of a child.

Thanks everyone. I haven't got any kids yet, I was just curious to know about this issue and have learnt quite a few things from your responses. I hope to visit your profiles soon.

:).

No. That's a dangerous thing in many ways. First, most diaries are a mix of reality and fantasy.

Just because she writes something, does not mean she will act on it. Better to raise her properly and talk to her. Be an understanding parent, not quick to criticize and condemn.

Remember how you were back when? You survived.

To be truthful, despite all my noble thoughts, I did read it and wish I hadn't, but hey, I was at the end of my tether and thought that I could find an answer to her increasingly outragious ( to me anyway) behaviour. Hope no one judges me regarding this response.

About a diary...No way would I read someone's most private inner thoughts, that was for them to look back on. I couldn't even bring myself to read someone else's diary when they passed on. I believe it should stay with them.

If you feel like there's something going on with them. A good thing to do is spend more time with them and bring them closer to you (friendship, but not confining them). As long as they know someone is there for them and able to listen, you won't need to do the sneaky stuff.

Most defintly not that is her private space for me to read her dairy would voilate her on so many levles just like I would never snoop through her room or listen in on her phone converstaions this is wrong she needs her space if you cant figure out what is wrong with her without voilating her pearsonal space then you need to look within yourslef and ask yodurself how can I better get to know my daughter.

I would never ever read my teens diary. I would have a very good relationship with my children, and let them see even as a adult, I can still respect them to the utmost.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.