What parents need to know about teens - Facts, Myths and Strategies: Table of Contents

You've probably picked up this booklet because you want practical, accurate and user-friendly information to help you raise your teen. You want to know what’s considered normal adolescent behaviour, how to determine whether your child is on a good path, how to encourage his healthy development, and how to get help when problems arise. There are many new things influencing teens today, but your parenting role is as important today as ever before. Spending time strengthening your relationship with your teen is the best investment in her future, just as it was when she was a child.

What parents need to know about teens: Facts, myths and strategies

Contents

• What this booklet is about
• Strategies for effective parenting
  • Being an effective parent takes planning
• Keeping up with your teen

 

• Strategy 1: Be an effective parent: Balance sensitivity and firmness
• Examples of parenting styles
• Common dialogues between parents and teens
• What is an authoritative parenting style?
• Why authoritative parenting makes a difference

 

• Strategy 2: Place an emphasis on safety, responsibility and obeying rules
• Another common dialogue between parents and teens
• What you do—and how you do it—matters!

 

• Strategy 3: Teach—don't just criticize
• Myth 1: “The teen years are the worst!”
• Myth 2: “Everything turns into an argument!”
• Myth 3: “I can't reason with her—she doesn't listen!”
• Myth 4: “My teen pushes my buttons” (This may be partly true…)

 

• Strategy 4: Understand your teen’s development—and how it affects your relationship
• Asserting independence
• Physical and emotional changes
  • Appearance and behaviour
  • Brain development and judgment
  • Self-awareness

 

• Strategy 5: Understand the pressures—and the risks—your teen faces
• Pressures to drink, smoke and have sex
• Pressures to be seen as tough (boys) or popular (girls)
• Pressures to fit in
• Pressures to put others down
• Pressures to do well at school
• The relationship connection
• “What message do I give?”

 

• Practical strategies to promote safer choices and healthy relationships: 10 tips for parents
• Resources for parents
• About the author
• Acknowledgments

• Print