| This milestone of starting High School brings a variety | | | | should they get stuck and need a helping hand from |
| of feelings and emotions. They are beginning four of | | | | someone they trust. Show them in ways other than |
| the most difficult, yet most memorable years of their | | | | saying things such as, I’m here if you want to |
| life. If you think you are anxious and scared, try being | | | | talk. It’s not always easy for a teenager to |
| your teen. Here are some helpful tips to guide your | | | | start up a serious conversation, especially with Mom or |
| teen in the right direction. | | | | Dad. There are times when you need to get |
| Teenagers all over the world will take the leap from | | | | creative. Depending on your teen that may mean |
| child to young adult this fall. They will be entering High | | | | writing a letter or taking them shopping and talking |
| School for the first time. This milestone brings a variety | | | | about what’s going on in their life while driving.Be |
| of feelings and emotions. They are beginning four of | | | | Supportive and Loving Your teenager is no longer the |
| the most difficult, yet most memorable years of their | | | | big dog’, but instead a newbie’. |
| life. If you think you are anxious and scared, try being | | | | Teenagers need to know that Mom and/or Dad |
| your teen. | | | | support their decisions. They may have a difficult time |
| Here are a few Parenting Teenager tips on how to | | | | fitting in; therefore, the need to try new things is |
| make the best of this stressful and confusing time in | | | | necessary and helps them to figure out who they are. |
| your teenager’s life.Be Open and Understanding | | | | As long as the activity is not detrimental to them or |
| Realize that your teen is going to be stressed and | | | | anyone else, let them try a new sport, club, or other |
| irritable for the first few weeks of their freshman year. | | | | extracurricular hobby. |
| There are many things that can contribute to your | | | | Support them in their decision, even if you know in the |
| teen’s moodiness or withdrawn state. They are | | | | long run they will not participate next year. Give them |
| experiencing numerous changes in their life; all at the | | | | the opportunity to find out for themselves if they enjoy |
| same time. Just like when you are pushed to your | | | | certain activities. Remind them that family is something |
| max with stress, your teen may experience | | | | that will always be there. They are moving away from |
| headaches, stomachaches, or sleepiness. They need | | | | you as a parent but not disconnecting with the family |
| time and space to figure it all out in their own mind. Be | | | | completely and that’s ok. |
| patient and give them the time they need to sort things | | | | Set Routines and Limits |
| out for themselves.Be Available and Reassuring They | | | | Yes, they may be growing up, but they aren’t |
| may be young adults with a need to start making | | | | adults yet. Even teenagers need routines and limits. It |
| more decisions on their own and taking on more | | | | will help to make the transition to high school easier on |
| responsibility, but that doesn’t mean that they | | | | both of you if make limits together before the first |
| are full blown adults with minds that can handle all the | | | | week of school. Sit down and tell your child what your |
| stress and pressure of taking on those tasks. | | | | expectations are and really listen to their expectations |
| Reassure them that you are there when they need | | | | of you as well. Settle on certain guidelines and routines |
| you and also how to back off when necessary | | | | that make both of you happy with the end result. This |
| so they can figure things out for themselves. | | | | not only puts your mind at ease, but will also show |
| Your teenager is just that, a teen. You need to let | | | | your teen that you acknowledge that they are capable |
| them know that you trust them to make their own | | | | of making sound decisions and taking other’s |
| decisions. Let them know that you are always there | | | | considerations intoaccount. |