A tall order! Caring for a cf child, not one's own/JENNIFER

[Guest guest]

Cystic fibrosis and adolescence are often a very difficult combination.

We had a few rules with our youngest when she was a teenager and

coping with her cf--my parents never had rules for me--guess I was just

a good kid--but our rules were:

1)no alcohol--very very very bad for cf livers--all livers; no smoking;

2)no unprotected sexual contact--who needs more bacteria, etc.?

3)medical appointments must be kept;

4)prescribed medications must be taken in order to earn:

1) the right to date, dance and all that stuff;

2)drive a car, when that came around;

3)use the computer;

4) watch the television, or listen to the radio;

5) have friends over or visit friends in their homes

It nearly did us in, but the kid made it--turned out fine--but in your

situation she may be testing whether you really care, really love her,

and all that. I believe in firmness, consistency--and rewards!

I hope that this helps, if only a little; you have been and are doing a

great job that few would undertake--she should be made aware of

that in some kindly way.

Love to you,

n Rojas, wcf, mom of 3 adults, youngest wcf--all still kicking and

no one is drinking, smoking or over-indulging in anything!