An interesting dilemma came up today. India has kept a diary for much of the last year, and usually shares it with me. But today, she let me know that I’m not allowed to read it. And while I’m fine with that, since I suspect her current rants involve how annoying her brothers are and how mean I am for making her unload the dishwasher. However, I can also see how a diary, in the teen years, could leave some vital clues for parents if their teens were really facing some bigger issues. If I had concerns about my teenager’s well-being, I would probably be tempted to go there looking for information.

Where is the line between privacy and parenting? Would you read your child’s diary? And did a parent ever read yours?