A Parent's Guide To Adolescence

By Dr. Emily Kensington

"Get The Best Parenting Advice!"

For parents, the period of adolescence is often very challenging and confusing. Adolesence is the period defined by ages 15-25, and the issues that get triggered during this time can be exhausting and exhilarating.

Also, this period often arouses parents’ feelings and anxieties about their own teenage years as well the concerns, fears and dreams they have for their children. Often this is expressed and manifested by parents that want their children to have more positive and protective experiences than they had themselves.

According to human development theories, the main developmental tasks faced in modern adolescence are: self-efficacy, self- expression, creating a new support system for themselves (away from parents), maintaining mood, and becoming comfortable with their bodies.

In short, they are attempting to become more independent and are struggling with their identity and find an accepting peer group, and if adolscents have problems in one or any of these areas, they can become susceptible to having poor coping strategies and poor self-esteem. (If this is the case then it is essential to get parenting advice from a professional.)

Also, the myriad of stressors and issues that face adolescents today are both similar yet different than those faced by their parents. The increased sexualizing of teenage girls is anxiety-provoking for parents but can also do untold damage to girls' self-esteem. Through MTV and popular media girls are inundated with often degrading images of what is considered desirable.

Further, the advancement of the internet as the primary vehicle in which teens maintain connection and closeness is also problematic. Not only does the lack of social contact ultimately adversely effect communication skills, but the sedentary aspects of spending hours in front of a screen comes with enormous health risks.

So what can parents do to help? Try to understand that your child is experiencing an enormous transition. Ask questions. Not to nag, but to make an effort to understand what they are going through. Open the door to mature communication and they will eventually reciprocate.

Be patient. This is a time when your child is drifting away from you to test the waters of independence, but they will eventually return.