Understanding Adolescence
Mature and responsible one moment, immature and careless the next, teens are a complex blend of emotions, capabilities and hormones. Teens may appear grown up, but they are still developing — and need direction and guidance from loving adults.
Developing a teen can be the most challenging and rewarding phase of parenthood. The information in this article can help you with the following:
- Understanding the normal stages of adolescence.
- Communicating openly with your teen.
- Helping your teen develop emotional maturity.
- Encouraging your teen’s intellectual development.
- Guiding your teen through common social decisions and challenges.
- Teaching your teen to be healthy and fit.
- Helping your teen become accountable and independent.
Your Teen’s Development
Experts typically divide adolescence into three stages. Your teen will progress through these stages at a unique pace and in a unique order based on the following:
- Individual physical development, temperament and personality.
- The expectations of parents and other influential adults.
- Peer and social influences.
The Teen Years
Parenting a teen requires diligence and patience. These years will go by more smoothly if you already share a loving and secure relationship with your teen.
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Preparing For Your Child’s Teen Years
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- Provide a safe and loving home environment.
- Create an atmosphere of honesty, trust and respect.
- Allow age-appropriate independence and assertiveness.
- Develop a relationship that encourages your teen to talk to you.
- Teach responsibility for your teen’s belongings and yours.
- Teach responsibility for basic household chores.
- Teach the importance of accepting limits.
- Teach the importance of thinking before acting.
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| Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) |
Topics covered in this section are:
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Education
Education