Teenage years can be rough for parents. Gone is the happy and bright child they raised and is now replaced by a careless and distracted adolescent with appalling mood swings.
Some parents would be dismayed over these changes. Quarrels and disagreements with the teen arise during a time when adolescents need their parents' support and guidance the most.
A new research found that it's important for parents to offer support and establish emotional connection with their teenage son or daughter during this rough period of his/her life, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal written by Sue Shellenbarger. Tweens or people with ages 11 and 12 usually experience declines in their spatial learning and reasoning.
Tweens' memories sometimes turn muddled. Parents can help with this issue by teaching them organizational skills with the use of electronic gadgets that young people are so drawn to. Parents can help set up reminders or download task manager apps on their child's smartphone so he/she won't have trouble remembering tasks for the day.
The ages 13 to 14 are the time when teenagers experience wild emotions. The youngsters are more sensitive and have stronger reactions when it comes to their peers' opinions about them. At the same time, teenagers at this age still have immature social skills that prevent them from understanding and reading further into their peers' thoughts and opinions.
During this period, teenagers experience social stress and are more susceptible to talking back to their parents. Psychologists advise parents to teach and display self-soothing skills like exercise, listening to music, or meditation to their son or daughter.
Parents should also talk to their kids about choosing friends that share the same interests and hobbies as them, and don't befriend anyone just because he/she is popular at school. Teens at this age should learn how to fix friendships after a disagreement or a fight by apologizing and compromising.
Teenagers aged 15 to 16 are risk-takers and are thrill-seekers. They leave the safe confines of their homes and explore new surroundings that are potentially dangerous. It's in this stage when teens engage in unprotected sex, ride vehicles dangerously, or get involved in petty crimes like shoplifting and vandalism. Parents can establish emotional support during this stage by talking to teenagers about their problems without arguments, yelling, or reprimands.
Teens' brains change and develop when they turn 17 to 18. This is when their intellectual skills shine the most, while their judgment and decision-making skills begin developing to the point that they can now manage their emotions and reckless tendencies better. Social skills are improving, as well as showing empathy and noticing how other people feel.
