| Possibly the greatest challenge any parent will face. | | | | Parents must, at this delicate time, ensure their child |
| Making it through the years of adolescence relatively | | | | is getting sufficient sleep, which is crucial at this stage |
| unscathed. It's a tough time for both parent and child | | | | of their development. A healthy diet should also be |
| which needs a combined effort from both sides to | | | | encouraged. |
| tackle the problems that arise. | | | | Parents must be aware that their child will indulge in |
| Adolescence is a time of neurological and hormonal | | | | risky behaviour. This is all part of growing up and |
| changes within a child. Their bodies transform and | | | | must be appreciated by parents. At this time, it is |
| they find it very hard to express their feelings and | | | | more than likely a child will commit a petty crime such |
| fears about it. | | | | as shop lifting or trying to dodge a train fare. If and |
| They have very little control over the transformation | | | | when apprehended, parents must show |
| that is taking place and they don't know where to | | | | understanding and sympathy - certainly in the first |
| turn. Many children feel bewildered and somewhat | | | | instance - and gently reinforce what their child |
| embarrassed about puberty. This naturally leads to a | | | | already knows; that stealing is wrong. |
| desire for independence and a lack of willingness to | | | | This sort of behaviour is to be expected. It is a child's |
| discuss the issues with parents or friends. | | | | way of "pushing the envelope"; seeing what they can |
| Confusion and silence are probably the most common | | | | get away with in the "adult" world. |
| emotions before they finally seek the answers to | | | | Children at this time of their life are struggling to |
| what exactly is happening. | | | | form their identity. Lessons learnt at this time will hold |
| Parents need to be aware of the situation and show | | | | them in good stead for the rest of their lives. |
| understanding. All too often however, they will say | | | | It is at this time that role models play an important |
| nothing and leave it up to the school or somebody | | | | role. A role model will invariably possess the qualities |
| else to address. Many schools do a good job of this, | | | | the child would like to have. Obviously sportsmen, |
| but in isolation, without parental support, the issues | | | | human rights activists, classical musicians and people |
| still remain buried. | | | | of solid achievement are to be encouraged; while |
| A parent can do things that a school simply cannot | | | | vacuous, "Hollywood" style celebrities should be |
| do. Children look to their parents for guidance. They | | | | constructively frowned upon! |
| need to be able to speak with their parents about | | | | If parents were to be given one item of advice on |
| difficult times and about embarrassing things. | | | | how to deal with these challenging times, it would be |
| Speaking with your child about puberty in a natural | | | | to treat consistently their child with love and respect, |
| and confident way will do a lot for their sense of self | | | | allowing them freedom to mature into responsible, |
| and your relationship. | | | | successful adults. |