Couples Court: Mom, 16-Year-Old Daughter Disagree Over Summer Curfew

What parent hasn't been there? Waiting up half the night, anxiously wondering where their teenager is and why she hasn't called. Praying she's OK ... but ready to wring her neck the minute she slinks in the back door.

You probably stayed out late a time or two yourself, right? Did you have a curfew? Do your kids have one now?

That's the central question in this week's Couples Court case ...

Dear Rik and Michele:
My 16-year-old daughter and I are at war over her summer curfew. She feels she doesn't need one because she doesn't have one when she stays at her father's house. I disagree. She claims a person now becomes an adult at 16, not 18, and that she is responsible enough to not have a curfew. I think 11:30 or 12 is late enough. What time should her curfew be? Am I being too strict? My dad used to say "Nothing good happens after midnight." I bet your listeners have stories of bad things that happen after midnight.

Well, what do you say, Bull Pen jurors? The clock's ticking ...