Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite kids anymore and not really adolescents they are caught in the middle in type of limbo. It is a sad time for many young people too. Many look back at their childhood and realise that they can never really act the same way yet they look ahead and realise that adolescence will present them with its own peculiar challenges.
Children are reaching adolescence earlier than ever. The World Health Organisation estimates that in developing countries puberty begins about three months earlier every ten years. It is a stage when the maturity gap between girls and boys is quite evident - about two years.
Puberty is a time of immense body changes. The male and sex hormones are different and set off different development in girls and boys. Bodily changes are more evident for girls are accompanied by huge mood swings, which can be disconcerting fro parents. The onset of puberty is not so obvious for boys. The first physical sign boys may notice is the enlargement of the testes, followed by growth of pubic hair. Testosterone, the male hormone, also affects mood swings but it arguably leads to increased energy and boisterousness. Many parents discover that their pre-teen son delights in wrestling with siblings or even his father in what is a sort of test of strength. Paradoxically, many early teen boys need more sleep and eat parents out of house and home.
Pre teens have a need for greater privacy so they spend more and more time in bedrooms, locked in bathrooms or arguing with younger siblings about personal space.
During puberty peers begin to assume increasing importance in young people's lives. Their opinions, their dress and appearance is increasingly influenced by their friends. It can be hurtful for a parent to discover that you are less influential than your child's friends, particularly if you enjoyed a close relationship when they were younger. It is a time when the telephone often becomes usurped, particularly by girls. Incidentally, girls can be quite cruel to each other at this age forming friendship groups along extremely exclusive lines.
It is time for parents to be a little circumspect ? a time for guidance and influence rather than control. Make no mistake children during this time of change need their parents more than ever. The way you go about helping them changes - subtle, gentle guidance is often required.
This particular stage provides a window of opportunity for parents. It is a time to help prepare your child for adolescence and even adulthood. It is a time for parents to establish a relationship based on mutual respect and shared interest. And it is the start of an exciting period in your child's development that requires thoughtful and smart parenting.
Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au
same day cleaning service Des Plaines ..In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
Q. My daughter has gotten very good at manipulating us,... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
1. Boundaries are necessary for control and safety.All children need... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
School authorities continually claim that they want more parent cooperation... Read More
We know that ancient cultures and Indians and the like... Read More
For the first year or two of life outside the... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Time management is an organisational concept traditionally associated with adults... Read More
1. The Law of the BeastAs parents we need to... Read More
Arabella Greatorex, owner of The Natural Nursery, reports on the... Read More
What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know... Read More
What parent hasn't gone into a son's or daughter's room... Read More
Parenting |