Parenting becomes more important when it comes to teenage parenting. Adolescence is something that seems as simple as any other age, however, it is difficult to handle for both parents and children. This article will provide you with information about what you can expect in terms of overall development during these teenage years.
You can expect a lot of changes in your child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual appearance as and when he/she reaches its adolescence. Usually, teenage related developments start from the age of 13 years, however, in some children, it may start appearing soon due to early puberty. After all, every child is different from one another.
Teenage can be categorised into the following -
Young Teens (13-15 years)
Older Teens (16-19 years)
The overall development in both two categories of teenage demands a lot of attention and care concerning parental guidance and support. Therefore, it becomes vital to give utmost support and care to your child so that these years may become the best one to remember.
Related: Are you raising a Teen?
YOUNG TEENS (13 years - 15 years)
The age bracket from 13 years to 15 years is considered to be of a young teenage group. The kids who fall under this age are known as young teens. They experience several physical changes, including mental, emotional and social changes. As well as the hormones change, which leads to puberty.
Boys grow facial and pubic hair and their voice gets deepen. Whereas, girls experience the change in the size of their breasts as well as the growth of pubic hair. This is the age when a girl may get her first period.
All these physical changes lead to some kind of worry in teens as they are developing body changes. Most of these young teens get peer pressure to try alcohol, tobacco and as well as drugs and sex. But being careful parents, you both have to be vigilant on your child's activity.
Here at this age, teens try to be more independent concerning their choices and interests and want to be more responsible. However, the parents' role is still important.
The other changes which young teen experiences are listed below -
Show more concern about body image and looks.
Becomes moodier.
Influenced by peers and show more interest in an adult's tasks.
Feels attracted to the opposite sex.
Often feel more stressed from any challenging work.
Develops the feeling of a perfectionist.
POSITIVE PARENTING TIPS
As a parent, you can adopt certain positive parenting tips which can help your child during his teenage. These tips are:
Be honest and help your teenage child to understand the things associated with drugs, drinking, smoking and sex. Let them understand how these things can affect them adversely at this tender age.
Know your teen's friends and maintain a cordial relationship with them. Your child's friend may keep you updated about your child's activity.
Stay updated with your teen's school life. Talk to him regularly in a friendly manner and stay in touch with the teachers of your child.
Encourage your child to make his/her own decision, however, help him always in making healthy choices.
Do not neglect your child's opinion at any point, rather value and consider it while making the final decision. This will make your child feel confident and a sense of responsibility.
In case of any minor conflict, be clear about the goals and expectations. Do not force your rules and decisions on your child. Try to solve the conflict peacefully, and allow your child to put his words forward.
It is important to make your teen understand the safety and hygiene that will help him/her in daily life. For example, wearing safety belts while being seated at the front in the car, follow proper menstruation hygiene to prevent any infections, etc.
Talk about the importance of having good friends in life. Good friends create a positive environment and share healthy attitudes.
Talk to your teen regarding those dangerous situations that may come in front of your child. Help your child with the possible solutions too.
Be vigilant about your child screentime which includes the usage of laptop, mobile and television.
Related: Social Media and Teens
OLDER TEENS (16 years to 19 years)
Once your kid crosses the age of 15 years, he comes into the category of older teens. The older teens category includes the teenage kids of 16 years to 19 years. This time of age indicates a further change in your child thinking process. You may also notice some change in his/her interacting skills too. By this age, most of the girls complete their puberty, however, boys continue to mature physically. Your teenage child may have concerns about his/her looks, body shape and size. Your child will have his/her own opinion and will possess all together different perspective towards life.
Relationship with friends will remain still important and may develop more interest in new and unexplored things. This is an important stage to develop a sense of responsibility and independence so that they can understand the importance of teenage.
The other important emotional changes that an older teen can expect are as follows-
More inclination towards romantic relationships and sexuality.
Looks for more independence and responsibility.
Feels attracted to the opposite sex.
Spend more time with friends and less time with parents and family.
Feels depressed and sad quickly, which can also lead to poor grades in school, alcohol consumption, smoking, drugs and even unprotected sex.
Becomes more mentally matured about what is correct and what's not.
Shows concerned about future plans.
POSITIVE PARENTING TIPS
As a parent, you might be looking after the positive parenting tips which you can follow to help, guide and support your teenage child. These parenting tips will help you as well to deal with some challenging situation which may come across while raising a teenage child.
Talk to your teenage child more often and be more friendly and make him comfortable with you. This will allow your child to share his/her feelings and thoughts with you openly. At this age, children often hide things with their parents thinking parents may not like it or may scold them. Hence, be like a friend to your child rather being strict parents.
Discuss 'this' physical change with them, clearly. If they get their doubts cleared by their parents, they will not go here-and-there for the information, which may en-route them to the wrong path.
If your child shows some kind of interest towards alcohol or smoking, let him know the correct age of having it, in a friendly manner. And if you feel that your child is quite matured enough to have it, then allow this activity with yourself.
Start giving some pocket money to your child monthly or weekly (whichever is convenient to both of you). This will give him a feeling of responsibility. Moreover, a teenage child feels confident and independent if he/she has some money to spend on her own. This will not let a teenage child move into the wrong direction in search of money with a feeling of greediness.
Encourage your teenage child to take part in civic volunteer work. This will generate a sense of responsibility towards society.
Show affection for your teenage child. Encourage his participation in the family decision-making process. Moreover, have meal-time together.
Respect your teen's privacy, however, be vigilant about his/her day-to-day activity.
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