‘Hey Mom! I bought this pair of jeans two months back and they are already short for me!’
Parents of teenagers would be more than familiar with such statements. You guessed it right!
I am talking about the growth spurt of adolescents.
Adolescence is the age from 10-19 years. It is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is an age when kids are fast outgrowing their clothes and going through many changes in their physical appearance, thinking, socialization and emotions. Adolescence is a critical period for the development of self-identity.
As the children are trying to understand the world from their own perspective, they may be faced with several challenges. These include navigating social pressures, career choices, academics, physical changes, and societal norms. As parents, we can facilitate skill development and help our child sail through this turbulent period smoothly. Parents can aid their children in developing life skills like self-awareness, effective communication, and refusal techniques. By being good role models, parents can demonstrate effective stress management strategies, decision making skills and teach kids ways to make their own healthy choices.
This is a stage of transition for parents as well. As parents, we need to empower ourselves with skills to navigate this phase successfully. Adolescents, as they grow, are developing their own concepts and opinions about their surroundings. Friends may take precedence over family and conflict may arise over how much freedom is allowed. Awareness of our own emotions and learning to cope with them become essential skills for parents. This is a stage when children need the support and guidance of parents. So, learn to keep the channels of communication open and build a strong interpersonal relationship with them.
Join us in our upcoming workshop, ‘Raahein- The Positive Parenting Guide’(Navigating the Teen Years Together) and become a part of the Wellness Wise Parent Community.
Register here: bit.ly/3ZdEk6T
It is actually difficult to navigate as an adolescent, parents play key role in this whole process. Thank you Ma’am for your valuable insights on the topic.
Pleasure Sanjna! An empowered parent can make all the difference to their child/children.