Is Your Child Growing Up Too Quickly?

Children have always been in a hurry to grow up.years ago. Consumption of alcohol is another sad
Especially, when they reach those infamous teenstatistic with teens. A growing issues is violence
years. Those magical years when they seem to knowamong young people. These are all issues that parents
more then the adults around them. As a parent, this isneed to be informed about and to be aware of when
often the most trying time for us. Many of us still seeraising teenagers. These are the very problems that
our teenager as a child and we forget that they arerob our young people of their childhood.
growing up and need to make their own decisions. IfAs adults, we have often made the comment that we
we did our job while they were younger, they willwish we had half the energy that our young children
come to us for advice before making a decision.do. Children have limits too. Too many parents expect
In our society we are putting more and more demandstoo much of their children. They get them involved in
on our young people. We expect them to act likemany activities trying to find what they are best at or
adults, when the reality is, they're still children. Howto just keep them busy. Of course some try to relive
often have you caught yourself telling your young childtheir own childhood through their kids(or maybe they
to stop acting childish? When should we expect ourare trying to live the childhood they never had). Allow
children to act like adults? Childhood last for a veryyour children to pick what they want to do. Don't push
brief time. Considering that many people are living wellthem so hard. If they chose an activity, make them
into their 80s and 90s, childhood is but a small portionaware that they need to make a commitment, but,
of our lifeline.don't make it so difficult on them that they can't get out
Think about when you learned a new job. You neededof it. Sometimes, certain activities are not suited for all
training, examples and time to understand how tochildren. Know your child's limitations and respect them
perform your job. Children also need training, lots ofwhen they tell you that they're not interested in that
good examples and opportunities to role play. Thisparticular activity. Let them grow up at their own pace.
comes in the form of play, chores, school work andMost children will be just fine.
examples of family interaction to the outside world.We all have expectations for our children. Some are
Children need support, adult supervision and direction.based on getting good grades, so they can get into
They need to interact with other children in their ownthe right college and get a good paying job. Some are
age group. They need to explore their world, as only aas simple as choosing the right friends or just to be a
child can do. A curious child will ask many questions. Begood person. Remember that your child is unique. They
patient with them and try to answer those questionsare not you or your spouse. Even though they may
without getting too technical.remind you of things you did when you were young.
It is not usually a good idea to allow your youngerThey eventually form their own opinions and have their
teenagers to hang out with older teenagers or youngown interest. Sometimes these are very different from
adults. Sometimes the influence can be harmful to anyours. Let them become who they were meant to be.
impressionable young person. Be aware of who yourAllow them to be children. With proper guidance and
teen's friends are. Sadly, in the world of today wegood examples, your child will grow into the person
have too many bad influences on our young people.you expect.
Teen pregnancy is high in comparison to 20 or even 10