Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite kids anymore and not really adolescents they are caught in the middle in type of limbo. It is a sad time for many young people too. Many look back at their childhood and realise that they can never really act the same way yet they look ahead and realise that adolescence will present them with its own peculiar challenges.
Children are reaching adolescence earlier than ever. The World Health Organisation estimates that in developing countries puberty begins about three months earlier every ten years. It is a stage when the maturity gap between girls and boys is quite evident - about two years.
Puberty is a time of immense body changes. The male and sex hormones are different and set off different development in girls and boys. Bodily changes are more evident for girls are accompanied by huge mood swings, which can be disconcerting fro parents. The onset of puberty is not so obvious for boys. The first physical sign boys may notice is the enlargement of the testes, followed by growth of pubic hair. Testosterone, the male hormone, also affects mood swings but it arguably leads to increased energy and boisterousness. Many parents discover that their pre-teen son delights in wrestling with siblings or even his father in what is a sort of test of strength. Paradoxically, many early teen boys need more sleep and eat parents out of house and home.
Pre teens have a need for greater privacy so they spend more and more time in bedrooms, locked in bathrooms or arguing with younger siblings about personal space.
During puberty peers begin to assume increasing importance in young people's lives. Their opinions, their dress and appearance is increasingly influenced by their friends. It can be hurtful for a parent to discover that you are less influential than your child's friends, particularly if you enjoyed a close relationship when they were younger. It is a time when the telephone often becomes usurped, particularly by girls. Incidentally, girls can be quite cruel to each other at this age forming friendship groups along extremely exclusive lines.
It is time for parents to be a little circumspect ? a time for guidance and influence rather than control. Make no mistake children during this time of change need their parents more than ever. The way you go about helping them changes - subtle, gentle guidance is often required.
This particular stage provides a window of opportunity for parents. It is a time to help prepare your child for adolescence and even adulthood. It is a time for parents to establish a relationship based on mutual respect and shared interest. And it is the start of an exciting period in your child's development that requires thoughtful and smart parenting.
Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HarePeaceful Parenting? ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More
Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
Did you know that you are the most important person... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Many children are jittery on the first day of school.... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
I'm sure many of you have heard that old Hallmark... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
"There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More
The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More
One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More
When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
Who lives in your house? Are they driving you "crazy?"... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More
Each child carries a unique picture of the self, shaped... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
Parenting |