Parenting Teens During the Turbulent Adolescent Development Years

Parenting teens is not an easy task during adolescent development. Parents of teens find many challenges as their once cuddly toddlers are now asserting and demanding independence. Read more from this article about tips that parents of teenagers can use to bring their teens to a greater awareness and understanding of their own personal growth.

What are factors that affect parenting teenagers and lead to trying growth times for parents of teens? Let's review several of the challenges that teens face during the middle school and adolescent years.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, there are four major movements in early and late adolescent development:

A Movement Toward Independence, which is characterized by a struggle with one's sense of identity and a greater self focus, that alternates between high expectations and poor self-esteem. Other awakenings include feeling awkward about the body, moodiness, an increased ability to express oneself by talking, less affection (and some rudeness) when dealing with parents, greater influence by a teen's peers on interests and clothing choices, among others.

Changes in Interests and Cognitive Awareness, which is shown through more interest in the present time, with little thought of the futrure, expanding intellectual interests and a greater ability to do physical, mental and emotional work.

Blossoming in Sexuality that is evident through displays of shyness and modesty, increased interest in sex, concerns about how attractive (physically and sexually) one might be, relationships that change often, anxiety and worry over being normal, among others.

Morals, Values and Self-Direction. Teens test rules and limits and begin to develop abstract thinking. At the same time, teenagers begin to develop their own ideals and conscience and begin to select role models.  Teens are open to experiment with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana, among others.)

In later high school years, teens develop each of these four movements to a higher degree, including a firmer sense of identity, increased emotional stability and concern for others, more self-reliance and delayed gratification, greater self-reflection and thinking through ideas. Unlike the earlier teen years, older teenagers begin to consider the future and take responsibility for their actions. Sexuality expresses itself more in feelings of love and passion, more serious relationships and an increase capacity for tenderness. Self-direction, morals and values emerge with a greater ability to set goals, use insights, develop personal dignity and self-esteem and an interest in moral reasoning.

During these years, those with a parenting influence can stand with their teenagers to affirm their worth and assist them as they develop. Using the "I Treasure You" approach, moms, dads, grandparents, and other influential adults can write affirming statements that reach out a supporting heart to help their teens grow and mature.