I love my sister but she allows my 17-year-old niece to get away with murder!  Okay, not murder but my niece isn't being taught responsibility.  She recently got her driver's license and is out of control.  When my sister comes home from work, my niece takes the car and returns it with a gas tank that's on empty.  She doesn't eat right and is always sick.  My sister and he husband are at fault.  They're supposed to teach my niece about nutrition and responsibility.  Sometimes I believe that people who work in the medical field are the worst offenders when it comes to nutrition.  My sister is a medical assistant and knows that greasy fast food isn't good.  I know my sister is doing the best she can but she's the mom.  She and her husband must set and enforce the rules -- they're the parents!My niece may have a tough time when she goes off to college in the fall.  That is if she graduates on time.  She's missed too much school and could end up in summer school.  Her boss is ready to fire her because she's missed a lot of work.  She has to give the school and her boss a doctor's note.  Something must change; otherwise she'll be headed down a rocky path in life.

FYI:  When I was a teen my father told me that I had to pay for my own car insurance and put gas in my car.  He agreed to help with major repairs and purchases such as tires but if I missed a car insurance payment, my beloved Mustang GT would have been sold in less than 2.5 seconds!  I never missed a car insurance payment and my car always had gas!

When my niece goes off to college in the fall, she'll have a rude awakening.  The professors won't hold her hand and make sure her assignments are completed and turned in on time.  They won't care if she passes or fails because they get paid either way.  I'm sure there are some caring professors but most of them are looking for tenure and security.  My niece will be in charge; she isn't making good choice right now.

Tidbit:  My dad was laid off for over five years and times were tough.  The only time we ate fast food was on a Friday because my mom got paid every Friday.  We never had fast food or pizza every Friday but when we did it was a treat. 

Parents, it's up to you to set the rules of the house.  It's up to you to ensure your children develop good eating habits.  Fast food, chips, cookies, ice cream, and other foods aren't good for the body.  I'm not saying to deprive your children but eating 'junk food' seven-days a week isn't good for any body.  You could Plan meals ahead of time and get your teens involved.  Allow them to help prepare and serve meals.  Try to eat dinner together whenever you can as a family.  Teenagers need to learn independence but parents are still in charge until their teens leave the house!

BTW:  At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I took control of my eating habits and lost 40 lbs.  I had my mom buy me fruits and vegetables; I gave up red meat and fast food, and worked out.  I was tired of being picked on the kids at school and by some family members.  But more importantly, I knew I had to change my eating habits because if I didn't they could have killed me.