The teen years are a time when your child is beginning to be more responsible for their overall health and safety. While you might have been able to shield them from danger for most of their life, you must now trust that you have taught them the things that they need to know to be safe when they are away from home. Covering these five talking points reinforces the lessons that you have taught your teen in the past while giving them a few age-appropriate pointers that help them make the best choices in life.
Cover the Importance of a Healthy Diet and Exercise
One of the easiest places to start talking to your teen is on the topic of eating right and exercising. At this age, most teens are enjoying playing their favorite sports, and this gives you a chance to cover how their practice sessions and workouts help increase their health. Keep in mind, however, that many teens are self-conscious about their bodies. This is also a good time to talk about eating disorders and the importance of eating a nutritious diet that helps their body develop normally.
Discuss the Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol
These talks should happen early in the teen years because children who are entering middle school are often exposed to peer pressure. Talking about adolescent substance abuse and addiction should be on every parent's list of things to cover. Avoid using scare tactics when you talk to your teen because they can often sense when you are being less than truthful. Instead, share factual information about the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction so that your teen understands the risks.
Open Up the Door for Talks About Sexual Health
Parents sometimes get nervous about this topic. Yet, you can provide age-appropriate information about sexual health. For instance, you can talk about the normal body changes that occur at this stage in your child's development. As you plan your talk, be sure to leave room open for your child to ask their own questions. This helps you to gauge the level to which you need to go with this discussion.
Give Them Some Driving Safety Tips
Your teen may be getting ready to drive, and their age group is at risk for accidents due to their lack of experience. Talk about things that might not be covered enough in your child's driving lessons. For instance, you can talk about the importance of never driving while they are drowsy. You'll also want to have several discussions about the danger of distracted driving since teens are likely to use their mobile devices in the car.
Talk About How to Achieve Good Sleep Habits
You may shake your head about your teen sleeping in, but this is often a sign that they are not getting enough sleep to keep up with their body's energy needs. Teens are also tempted to stay up late playing with their electronic devices. Help your teen find an appropriate bedtime, and consider having them charge their devices outside of their room at night.
Talks about health and safety should continue as your teen makes the transition into adulthood. As you talk, remember to keep an open mind that encourages your teen to come to you when they have a problem. By making it clear that you value your teen's safety above all else, you can be certain that they will let you know when they need help making the right decisions.
