Teen Life
A teen's life is a roller coaster of ups and downs. Your teenager may start dating and driving. They'll look at colleges and maybe even get their first job. But many teens also have to deal withpeer pressure,overloaded schedules, and, of course, puberty—when their bodies and moods seem to change by the minute.
The trick is to encourage teenagers todevelop autonomywhile also lending support when it's needed most. By learning about all the challenges facing today's teens, you'll be better equipped to help them organize their busy lives andset goals for themselves. With a little extra empathy and communication, you canbuild new bonds with your teenand set them up forsuccess as students, friends, and young adults.
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It's different for every teen. The'tween'and early teen years may be hard as they deal withhormonal shifts, body changes, and acne. Boys start puberty between ages 10 and 16 and girls begin puberty between ages 8 and 13.Ages 16, 17, and 18 may prove challenging as academic demands pile up inpreparation for college.
Learn More: Puberty Stages and Concerns -
Friendshipsare important to many teens, as they are biologically wired to venture beyond the nest for human connection.However, they still value support and validation from trusted grown-ups. Research shows teens' stress levels dip more dramatically in the presence of parents than with friends.
Learn More: 8 Inspirational Books for Teens -
The teen years are a great time to try new things. Teens have moreindependencethan children but most aren't burdened yet by financial or familial obligations. This frees them up to explore a wide variety of hobbies or potential career paths. You can help teens find their calling by signing them up forinteresting extracurricular activitiesorsummer programs.
Learn More: How to Raise a Happy, Healthy Teenager -
Today's busy teens have a lot on their plates. Some struggle with balancing technology and schoolwork or dealing withpressure to succeed from parentsorcoaches. Others grapple with loneliness, which can be tied to excessive screen use.It's important to keep tabs on yourteen's mental healthby checking in with them often and seeking professional help if needed.
Learn More: Top 10 Social Issues Teens Struggle With Today -
Though maddening to parents,mood swingsare typical in teens, as new hormones circulate to prepare their bodies and brains for adulthood. Risk-taking behavior is also common, tending to rise dramatically in early adolescence and peaking in the late teen years.Enforcing consequencesfor actions that put your teen or others at risk can help keep negative behaviors in check.
Learn More: Teen Discipline: Strategies and Challenges -
Some 70% of teens say they are stressed.While your teen might be enjoying new freedoms like dating anddriving,他们也可能是应对荷尔蒙波动s, increasing academic demands, andsocial drama. Plus, though they are often exciting, major life transitions like entering high school,heading to college, and working at a first job can be daunting, too.
Key Terms
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Religious Bullying
Religious bullying is a type of intimidation that some people face for being of a certain faith.Teens who are bulliedfor their religion may be ridiculed or even physically harmed for wearing symbols of their religion, such as head coverings. Since 9/11, there has been a rise in anti-Muslim bullying in schools.
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Boomerang Kid
A boomerang kid is a term for a teen or young adult who moves back into their parents' house not long after leaving for college or the workforce. Around half of 18- to 29-year-olds live in their parents’ homes, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.
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FOMO
FOMO is an acronym for the "fear of missing out" on fun things other kids are doing together. With teens regularly sharing their activities and location onsocial media, it's common for kids to have FOMO.
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Chore Contract
With chore contracts, kids sign an agreement todo certain choresevery day or week. They help make your expectations clear and also hold teens accountable. By keeping their own spaces clean and lending a hand around the house, teens learn important life skills that will serve them in college and adulthood.
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First Aid Kit
Every family should have awell-stocked first-aid kitin the house and the car. If you have a teen who's driving, they should have a first-aid kit in their own car, too. Kits should include assorted bandages and gauze pads, cloth tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, an emergency blanket, and a cold compress.
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Teen Slang
Teen slang refers to words and phrases that adolescents invent to communicate with another. This insider language isn't intuitive to us parents: For instance, to today's teens, "sick" means great, "dope" is cool, and "basic" is boring.