Have you ever wondered why teenagers act the way they do? Our guest expert is here to help! 17 yr-old Louisa Michel looks at a common source of strife from an adolescent's viewpoint.

Raisingkids member's problem
My partner has 2 daughters of 16 and 17, and at the moment he does not have an evening to himself. He's constantly dropping them off at friends' houses in the early evening, then picking them up again around 11. Bear in mind he starts work at 6am! This is affecting our relationship as we hardly get an evening together. The younger girl is dating her first boyfriend, and most of the journeys are the half-hour drive to his house and back. My partner says it's his responsibility but all the extra petrol he is using seems to mean less and less food in the cupboard every week. Is there any way I can help?

Louisa's advice
This problem could be solved a number of ways. If they have access to public transport, try suggesting the girls use it - not only would this be practical but it also gives them some independence and responsibility However, if the girls do start to travel more on public transport, this can be quite expensive for a teenager on a limited budget. Would you be able to give them a little money at the beginning of the week for fares, possibly out of the savings your partner will make in petrol?

If - like me - you live in a city, public transport is an easy option. Unfortunately, if youre based in the country, lifts are probably more necessary. You could suggest to your partner that he gives lifts on particular days of the week only and this has to be arranged in advance. If you do take this option the girls will have to make their own way home some nights, and might even be encouraged to meet their friends halfway or invite them round to the house.

I can understand that you dont want them coming home by themselves late at night, but a way to solve this problem is to occasionally let them stay over and then go to school together in the morning. My parents prefer me to stay over than travel alone late at night. I would advise, however, that frequent sleepovers on school nights create very tired, and often moody, teenagers the next day! Its best to let them stay over more regularly at weekends, so they have some time to recover before going back to school.

Being a teenager myself, I know how fantastic lifts are but because I dont get them very frequently I appreciate them more.