Seven Facts About Adolescence & Seven Strategies
The demeanor of almost every youth going through puberty often appears to border on schizophrenia. One moment they are rational and calm – the next they are unreasonable and emotional. One day there are compliant and able to listen. The next they are lost in a space of their own. One week they want you around and the next they are trying to send you into exile. As described by one parenting expert – Young adults don’t have their acts together and won’t for a few years.
Here are seven common facts about adolescent thinking that every parent should know.
- Youth think less clearly than adults.
- Youth find it difficult to understand and read emotions.
- Youth are more impulsive and have less self-control.
- Youth want to be connected with people.
- Any use of alcohol and/or drugs (illegal or prescribed) will impact the brain’s development.
- The brain connections that are used stay in place and those that are not used are lost.
- Male and female brain development is different.
- Learning to listen will help you communicate with your teen that is thinking less clearly than you do.
- Spending one to one time with your child doing an activity that they enjoy helps to moderate their emotional roller coaster rides.
- Teaching your child to STOP and THINK before the ACT can reduce impulsive behavior and increase self-discipline.
- Avoid the temptation to think that your child only wants to connect with his or her peers. A youth’s desire to connect does include his or her parents. Take the opportunity to say in touch.
- If you really want your child to avoid the risks involved with alcohol and drugs, you will make sure that you are sharing a meal with your child every day. Investing time in a family meal that is not interrupted with any technology pays big dividends in reducing risk behaviors.
- Developing brains need down time – quiet time. Provide your child with several moments of low stimulation, especially before going to bed. And, create a dark, cool and quiet place for your child to sleep.
- Because sons think differently from daughters and vice versa, it is a great idea for parents to develop a special relationship with the child of their same gender. Moms are better suited to listen to a daughter who seems to take forever to get to the point of a story and fathers know how to make a point and drive it home with a son.
These seven facts and strategies should help smooth the path through adolescence. Minimize the struggles common to the adolescent years by remembering these quick facts about adolescents and use them in the guidance of your children.