A kid becomes a tween usually around 10 years old and will last until he reaches 13 years old. This phase is very confusing for both the parent and the child because of the many changes that occur during this period. Knowing effective tips for parenting tweens can help you cope with these big changes.
Families.com shared some of the most common changes that happen when a child becomes a tween. Being prepared for these changes can make a big difference for both you and your tween child.
10 Things Only A Mother Of A #Tween Girl Can Understand – https://t.co/KYjKPKBHqv @aMusingFoodie pic.twitter.com/oJfaHrhdBb
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1. Expect A More Emotional Child
Parenting tweens is a complex and challenging task. Tweens experience a great surge in different hormones that they have never experienced before. This can lead to many emotional outbursts, identity crisis and mental confusion.
Make sure to practice more patience and understanding when dealing with your tween. Always remember that your child needs your love more than ever as he is being overwhelmed by complicated emotions.
2. Expect Your Tween To Prefer Spending Time With Friends
The days when your child's world revolves around you might finally end once he becomes a tween. "Tweens are at a stage where they start to break away from their families and start seeking out the acceptance of friends," Families.com explains.
Parents can cope with this change by trying to find family bonding activities that are even more exciting and adventurous than what their friends could provide. You can also try sharing your life experiences when you were his age in order to become more relatable for your tween.
3. Expect More Vanity
This is a time when your child becomes more aware of his physical appearance and how it impacts the opposite sex, which makes parenting tweens very difficult. Tweens are more prone to having crushes and experiencing puppy love. "This is the beginning of talking about relationships. Parents should be calm about it, because you've got to keep that door of communication open," clinical counsellor Allison Bates told Today's Parent.
