You’ve lived through 2:00 a.m. feedings, temper tantrums, and the school blues. So why are you scared of the word “teenager”?
Despite some adults’ negative perceptions about teens, they are often energetic, thoughtful, and idealistic, with a deep interest in what’s fair and right. So, although it can be a period of conflict between parent and child, the teen years are also a time to help kids grow into the distinct individuals they will become.
Understanding the Teen Years
So when, exactly, does adolescence start? The message to send your kid is: everybody’s different. There are early bloomers, late arrivers, speedy developers, and slow-but-steady growers.
Most of us think of puberty as the development of adult sexual characteristics: breasts, menstrual periods, pubic hair, and facial hair. But kids who are showing physical changes can also be going through a bunch of changes that aren’t readily seen from the outside. These are the changes of adolescence.
Many kids announce the onset of adolescence with a dramatic change in behavior around their parents. They’re starting to separate from Mom and Dad and to become more independent. At the same time, kids this age are increasingly aware of how others, especially their peers, see them and are desperately trying to fit in.
Kids often start “trying on” different looks and identities, and they become acutely aware of how they differ from their peers, which can result in episodes of distress and conflict with parents.
Butting Heads
One of the common stereotypes of adolescence is the rebellious, wild teen continually at odds with parents. Although it may be the case for some kids and this is a time of emotional ups and downs, that stereotype certainly is not representative of most teens.
But the primary goal of the teen years is to achieve independence. For this to occur, teens will start pulling away from their parents—especially the parent whom they’re the closest to. This can come across as teens always seeming to have different opinions than their parents or not wanting to be around their parents in the same way they used to.
As teens mature, they start to think more abstractly and rationally. They’re forming their moral code. And parents may find that kids who previously had been willing to conform to please them will suddenly begin asserting themselves strongly.
You may need to look closely at how much room you give your teen to be an individual and ask yourself questions such as: “Am I a controlling parent?” “Do I listen to my child?, and “Do I allow my child’s opinions and tastes to differ from my own?”
Tips for Parenting Teens
Navigate your way through the teen years using these tips:
Educate Yourself. Read books about teenagers. Think back on your own teen years. Remember your struggles with acne or your embarrassment at developing early—or late. Expect some mood changes in your typically sunny child, and be prepared for more conflict as he or she matures as an individual. Parents who know what’s coming can cope with it better. And the more you know, the better you can prepare.
Talk to Your Child Early Enough. Talking about menstruation or wet dreams after they’ve already started means you’re too late. Answer the early questions kids have about bodies, such as the differences between boys and girls and where babies come from. Don’t overload them with information—just give them simple answers.
You know your kids and can tell when their starting to joke about sex or when attention to personal appearance is increasing. This is a good time to jump in with your own questions such as: Are you noticing any changes in your body? Are you having any strange feelings? Are you sad sometimes and don’t know why?
A yearly physical exam is a great time to bring up these things. A doctor can tell your preadolescent—and you—what to expect in the next few years. An exam can serve as a jumping-off point for a parent/child talk. The later you wait to have this discussion, the more likely your child will be to form misconceptions or become embarrassed about or afraid of physical and emotional changes.
Furthermore, the earlier you open the lines of communication, the better chance you have of keeping them open through the teen years. Give your child books on puberty written for kids going through it. Share memories of your own adolescence to put them more at ease.
Put Yourself in Your Child’s Place. Help your child understand that it’s normal to be a bit concerned or self-conscious, and that it’s OK to feel grown-up one minute and like a kid the next.
Pick Your Battles. If teenagers want to dye their hair, paint their nails black, or wear unusual clothes, think twice before you object. Teens want to shock their parents and it’s a lot better to let them do something temporary and harmless; leave the objections to things that really matter, like tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
Maintain Your Expectations. Teens will likely act unhappy with expectations their parents place on them. However, they usually understand and need to know that their parents care enough about them to expect certain things such as good grades, acceptable behavior, and adherence to the rules of the house. If parents have appropriate expectations, teens will likely try to meet them.
Inform Your Teen—and Stay Informed Yourself. The teen years often are a time of experimentation, and sometimes that experimentation includes risky behaviors. Don’t avoid the subjects of sex, or drug, alcohol, and tobacco use; discussing these things openly with kids before they’re exposed to them increases the chance that they’ll act responsibly when the time comes.
Know your child’s friends—and know their friends’ parents. Regular communication between parents can go a long way toward creating a safe environment for all teens in a peer group. Parents can help each other keep track of the kids’ activities without making the kids feel that they’re being watched.
Respect Kids’ Privacy. Some parents, understandably, have a very hard time with this one. They may feel that anything their kids do is their business. But to help your teen become a young adult, you’ll need to grant some privacy. If you notice warning signs of trouble, then you can invade your child’s privacy until you get to the heart of the problem. But otherwise, it’s a good idea to back off.
In other words, your teenager’s room and phone calls should be private. You also shouldn’t expect your teen to share all thoughts or activities with you at all times. Of course, for safety reasons, you should always know where teens are going, what they’re doing, and with whom, but you don’t need to know every detail. And you definitely shouldn’t expect to be invited along!
Monitor What Kids See and Read. Kids have access to tons of information—TV shows, magazines, books, and the Internet, so don’t be afraid to set limits on time and content. Know what they’re learning from the media and who they may be communicating with online.
Make Appropriate Rules. Bedtime for a teenager should be age appropriate. Reward your teen for being trustworthy. Does your child keep to a 10 PM curfew? Move it to 10:30 PM. And does a teen always have to go along on family outings? Decide what your expectations are, and don’t be insulted when your growing child doesn’t always want to be with you. Think back: You probably felt the same way about your mom and dad.
Will This Ever Be Over? As kids progress through the teen years, you’ll notice a slowing of the extreme highs and lows. And, eventually, they’ll become independent, responsible, communicative young adults. So remember the motto: We’re going through this together, and we’ll come out of it—together!
Courtesy of Nemours Foundation.