Parents have long recognized the need to set limits for the safety and welfare of teens and for the well-being of the family. In many families there are limits or boundries relating to bedtime, nutrition, curfews, amount of time spent on homework, grades, church attendance, clothing and hairstyles, leisure activities, friendships, telephone time, chores, and so on. Each Spring, parents of high school seniors must address limits issues related to prom and post graduation parties and the freedom their seniors will experience when they enter college or the adult world of work.
Some parents confuse showing love with being too permissive.
The difference in these two stlyes of parenting is the setting of boundries. To act in a loving manner toward one's child requires setting and maintaining boundries. A significant task for parents of teens is establishing boundries and standards that will allow the creations of a win-win family relationship. Win-win boundreies are clear, specific, and well communicated. They do not lead towards forcing the teen into a loser's role while the parents are made the winners.