Navigating the Teen Years - A Parental Survival Guide

You’ve heard that the “terrible twos” are one of the most challenging times for parents. But anyone with a teenager in the house knows that the twos are just a warm-up for the real test of parenting mettle: the teen years.

“Adolescence is often the period in a child’s life when he or she begins to separate from his parents and develop his own identity,” says Lorena Siqueira, MD, Adolescent Medical Director at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. “The child’s effort to become more independent can be a difficult time for the whole family.”

Dr. Siqueira says a teenager’s behavior can be confusing and exasperating for parents. “A teenager may be defiant by refusing to visit her grandmother or clean his room,” she explains. “Although a parent may see it as disobedience, it’s really quite symbolic. It’s one way a teen struggles to assert himself or herself and begins to establish an identity. What she’s saying is, 'treat me as an individual’.”
 

Understanding your adolescent

Riding the emotional roller coaster

Whether he’s raging on his guitar or she’s slamming her bedroom  door in a fit of tears, emotions are high and unpredictable during adolescence. Hormones, growth spurts, changing relationships, successes and disappointments all play a role in the emotional roller coaster ride teenagers often experience.

“Mood swings are difficult,” says Dr. Siqueira. “One day a teen feels one way and the next day she feels completely different. It’s hard for the parent to understand what’s going on, but sometimes it’s just as difficult for the child.” She says parents shouldn’t take these emotional out- bursts personally. “Forgiveness and support is often the best remedy whether it’s a flood of tears or a hateful remark.”
 

Growing, growing, gone!

Any parent who has seen a teen- ager seemingly grow two inches overnight knows that he or she is rapidly moving from childhood to adulthood . Although physical growth is natural, it adds worry and anxiety to the life of a teenager. They want to grow at the same pace as their peers, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“Teens worry whether they’re too tall or too short, too fat or too thin. When puberty begins, teenage girls are worried about their breasts. Are they too big or too small? How do they compare with friends? Boys have similar issues,” says Dr. Siqueira. “Even a pimple, which may seem insignificant to the parent, can be completely devastating to a teenager. Parents should be sensitive to these issues and provide as much guidance as possible through these transformations.”
 

Changes in the brain

In addition to physical growth, adolescent brains may be changing as well. For years scientists believed a child’s brain was fully developed by 5 or 6 years of age. Recent research, however, suggests that additional changes occur during adolescence. Because certain areas of the brain are growing and developing, researchers say it may influence a teenager’s decision-making and prob lem-solving skills.

A teen’s brain may also process and interpret emotional informat ion differently—leading to misunderstandings and emotional outbursts. In addition, the maturing brain may not coincide with the physical changes occurring in the rest of the body. All of these combined can create turmoil in teenagers.

“Sometimes intellectual and physical development don’t keep pace with each other,” says Dr. Siqueira. “You may have a 12-year-old with the body of a 16-year-old. Because the child looks more mature than her age, adults may expect the child to act more mature. On the other hand, children who are late to physically mature can have problems, too. It’s important not to make judgments or assume maturity levels based on appearance alone. You must consider the individual.”
 

Taking steps to success

Parents can survive the teenage years by providing patience, love and support to their children—and by following these steps to success.

Communicate your concerns
“Parents need to talk to their children about the values that are important to the family,” says Dr. Siqueira. “They should address the many issues facing young people today, too, such as drugs and premarital sex.”

Listen to their concerns
Perhaps most importantly, parents also need to learn to listen to what their children are saying. “Don’t dismiss what a child says no matter how insignificant it may seem. Help teens learn to cope with whatever is troubling them, whether it’s academic pressure or pressure from their peers,” says Dr. Siqueira.

Be a role model
Your teenage daughter inherited your flair for fashion, but she’s watching more than what you’re wearing. “Children watch their parents for the correct ways to act and speak, too, so parents should model the behavior they expect,” says Dr. Siqeira. “You can’t say one thing and then do another. Children pick up on it. You need to be consistent in how you demonstrate your values and beliefs.”

Establish the rules
Parents should also be consistent with discipline. “Although teenagers need their independence, they also need limits and rules,” says Dr. Siqueira. “A parent’s challenge is to be consistent. If one day a rule applies and one day it doesn’t, you’ll end up having problems down the road.”
 

Learning to live with a teen

The teenage years are exciting for the child and parents. It’s a time of growth, exploration and great change. “Despite the belief that this is a turbulent period for adolescents, the majority of teenagers do quite well during this time,” says Dr. Siqueira. “With good communication, support and understanding, parents and adolescents can successfully navigate the teen years and develop positive relationships for a lifetime.”

Lorena Siqueira, MD