The scariest part of raising teenagers is remembering the stupid things you did then.

 

Adolescent and Young-Adult Issues

Many parents will agree that parenting their children during their teenage years was a difficult, confusing and sometimes unpleasant experience. Parents may be shocked by the change in behavior and moodiness of their formerly compliant, happy children with the onset of puberty. Teens begin to desire more freedom, question family values and seek acceptance by peers. The developmental goal for adolescents is to form an identity separate from family of origin in order to prepare oneself to become a more secure and independent young adult. These are the stepping stones for a young adult child to launch successfully into adulthood.

Parents may become concerned by the following behaviors:

• Disrespectful behavior and disregard for rules
• Experimentation with drugs and alcohol
• Serious decline in academic performance
• Withdrawal from family time and a decline in communication
• Gravitation to the “wrong crowd”
• Staying out past curfew without an acceptable or believable explanation.

If these behaviors or other things seem to get worse, it may be time to seek help. Therapy for teens, parents or eve the family may be necessary.