Strict Parents Labeled 'Weird' After Teen's Friend Criticizes Vacation Rules

by Sophia

Raising teenagers is already a challenging task, but it becomes even trickier when other kids are involved. Imagine you take your 14-year-old on a family vacation and allow her to bring a friend along, hoping for a fun and memorable trip.

Everything seems fine until you return and drop the friend off, only to be met with silence and no thanks. Confused, you ask your daughter, who reveals that her friend found your family rules "weird." Now, you're left questioning your parenting style.

The first "weird" rule involved swimming safety. Vacationing in northern Wisconsin, you set boundaries for the kids swimming in Lake Superior.

The water was cold, and the depth unpredictable, so you kept a close watch. Your older daughter and her friend could swim farther out than the younger kids, but you had to remind them to stay within sight.

Safety first, right? But apparently, this was seen as overly strict.

The second incident happened during a family dinner at a restaurant. You have a no-phones-at-the-table rule, which you think is reasonable to ensure quality family time.

When the friend pulled out her phone to watch TikTok during the meal, your husband politely asked her to put it away. Again, this was viewed as strange and strict.

Just take a look at this...

OP wonders if they're too strict with their 14-year-old, as her friend ignored them after a family vacation.

Daughter's friend finds family rules weird: not letting girls swim far in cold Lake Superior with unknown depths.

They let older kids swim farther than younger ones but reminded them to stay close. Apparently, they were too strict.

At dinner, daughter's friend used her phone despite their no-phone rule. Husband reminded her twice to put it away.

The daughter says they're too strict, but they disagree. They don't allow her to watch movies at her boyfriend's house.

At 45, they struggle with raising a courteous teenager, balancing rules with making friends feel welcome. Scroll down to see what people had to say...

NTA. Not strict; just good parenting. Basic manners aren't too much to ask for!

NTA. Daughter's friend needs a lesson in manners and gratitude—perhaps a crash course in "Thank You 101."

NTA - Only a teenager would think their rules belong in the "weird and unreasonable" category!

NTA. Not strict—just parenting. Makes one wonder about the friend's home life!

NTA - Despite offering a jump start, the neighbor was too busy on his phone to say thanks.

NTA - It seems like this young generation would miss the apocalypse while glued to their phones!

Vacations should be governed by parents, not the government. They're doing the right thing with their rules.

NTA, but the friend needs a lesson in manners and a slower scroll on life's timeline!

NTA. Parenting 101: Setting boundaries isn't strict, just necessary. Teenagers, on the other hand...

Don't stress. Maybe skip the extra invite for the friend next time.

NTA. Their rules are reasonable; adjusting to new dynamics can be tough for a 14-year-old.

NTA. Rules are mild; lakes are risky, and teens can be invincible. Table manners matter!

NTA. Setting standards for manners and phone use: parenting for the win against obnoxious friends!

NTA. No more invites for the friend—they can't handle their "weird" rules anyway!

NTA. Basic manners seem to be an endangered species in the teen's social habitat!

Navigating teen social dynamics is like walking a tightrope with a wobbly balance pole. Sure, your rules might seem "weird" to some, but staying firm on safety and family time isn't old school—it's classic parenting. After all, what’s stricter: a few house rules or a TikTok takeover?

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