Parenting Your Teen

1. Parenting Your Teen

2. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Objectives • Understand the physical changes your child is experiencing • Develop more effective communication • Manage conflicts with your teen • Help your teen with social issues • Recognize at-risk behaviors • Enjoy your time together

3. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Physical Changes • Share information early • Let your child know you are available to talk • Respect your child’s feelings and privacy • Don’t take it personally • Maintain your limits on acceptable behavior

4. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Hygiene Take frequent, if not daily, showers Practice good oral hygiene Keep skin/hair clean to avoid acne Use deodorant Shave Sleeping Get 9 hours of sleep per night Maintain a consistent schedule, particularly during the week Turn off computers/television at least one hour before bedtime Limit late-night phone calls Avoid late-night studying/homework Healthy Habits

5. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Healthy Eating Promote healthy meals and eating habits Make sure your child gets sufficient calcium Consider a daily vitamin supplement Teach nutrition basics Be aware of eating disorders Healthy Exercise Be a role model Encourage an interest in sports Encourage exercise as a form of transportation Be creative in your efforts Limit time in front of the TV and computer Remind teens of the physical benefits Stress the health benefits Healthy Habits (continued)

6. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Developing Opportunities for Communication • Be available • Build structure • Seize the moment • Eliminate distractions • Reschedule and follow through

7. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Listening Don’t interrupt Empathize Reserve judgment Show respect Avoid lecturing Admit it if you don’t have the answer Pay attention to what is not being said Use body language Talking Use “I” phrases Encourage open-ended conversation Restate the issues Keep calm Be specific Avoid lecturing Be positive Effective Communication

8. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Discipline • Don’t overreact • Be clear about the rules • Listen before you act • Let the punishment fit the crime • Follow through • Remember the power of praise

9. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Conflict • Determine the underlying cause • Pay attention to your child • Don’t try to resolve issues when tempers are flaring • Set up regular discussion times • Seek outside help if necessary

10. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Teaching Responsibility • Support activities and friendships outside the family • Agree on weekly domestic chores • Help your teen make wise decisions • Allow some flexibility

11. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Social Issues Friendships • Ask why he or she wants to be part of a particular group • Help your teen think about what kind of friends he or she would most enjoy • Emphasize quality over quantity • Help your teen develop new interests • Praise your teen’s positive qualities frequently

12. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Social Issues (con’t) Dating • Let your teen set the pace • Be sensitive • Remind your child not to do anything that makes him or her uncomfortable • Talk about your dating experiences • When a break-up occurs, give sympathy, not advice • Voice objections gently

13. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Social Issues (con’t) Peer Pressure • Teach your child how to say no • Talk to your child about how to avoid undesirable situations or people who break the rules • Remind your child that there is strength in numbers • Let your teen know that it is okay to seek an adult’s advice • Nurture strong self-esteem

14. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You At-Risk Behaviors • Tobacco • Alcohol • Drugs • Sexual behavior • Depression and suicide • Eating Disorders

15. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Tobacco • Point out the unattractive features • Point out the expense • Talk about addictions • Remind them that tobacco kills

16. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Alcohol • Strictly forbid alcohol from your teen • Relay stories about alcohol use and its consequences • Be a constant source of support for your child • Teach your child healthy social skills • Monitor your child

17. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Drugs • Discuss drugs factually • Stress that drugs are addictive • Emphasize that drugs are illegal • Tell them that drugs can kill • Help your child “say no”

18. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Sexual Behavior • Discuss the subject early • Answer your child’s questions • How will I know if I’m in love? • Will sex bring me closer to my girlfriend/boyfriend? • How do I manage pressure from my girlfriend/boyfriend to have sex? • Can you get pregnant the first time? • How will I know when I’m ready to have sex? • Warn them of sexually transmitted diseases • Stress the the risk of pregnancy • Know what your teen is doing and with whom • Encourage your child to value education

19. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Depression and Suicide Signs of Depression • Changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping much more or much less than usual • Changes in eating patterns, either eating much more (particularly prevalent among girls) or much less • Expressing feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness • Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed • Substance abuse, either drugs or alcohol • Withdrawal from friends and family; staying in his or her room alone for long periods or little interest in socializing

20. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa • Extreme weight loss • Restricted food intake • Absence of at least 3 periods (amenorrhea) • Constant irrational fear of getting fat Bulimia • Large amounts of food disappearing • Disappearing into the bathroom regularly and for prolonged periods of time. • A pattern of weight gains (up to 10 pounds in a month) that drop off quickly and seemingly effortlessly.

21. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Eating Disorders (con’t) Overeating • Talk to your child’s doctor • Don’t criticize your child • Stock your kitchen with healthy, low fat foods • Don’t offer food as a reward • Encourage interests outside the home

22. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Other At-Risk Issues • Gangs • Runaways • Self-Injury • Bullying • Drinking and driving • Date rape

23. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Creating Enjoyable Time Together • Let your teen see your fun side • Develop common interests • Allow your teen space • Set up rules for mutual respect

24. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Child Care & Parenting Web Service Parenting Teens/Preteens Library Parenting Strategies Library Self-Esteem & Self-Image Library Substance Abuse Library Audio Tips and PodcastsPositive Parenting Tips: Early and Middle Adolescence, Internet Safety for Parents, Keeping Kids Safe Behind the Wheel, Nobody Wins this Game, Electronic Aggression, Keeping Kids Off the Bottle, Substance Abuse: Are You Listening to Me? Medical AnimationsDrug Addiction Related Web Sites On Demand WebinarsParenting Your Teen, Communicating and Resolving Conflict with Your Teen, Keeping Our Children Safe, Bullying: How to Protect Your Child, Internet Safety for Parents, Keeping Children Safe in an Uncertain World, Raising Financially Savvy Children, Children’s Wellness WorkLife4You GuidesPositive Parenting Strategies for the Teenage Years, Teens and At-Risk Behaviors, Encouraging Healthy Habits in Teens, Social Issues and Teens, Keeping Youth Drug Free, Healthy Eating for Children HTML Articles WorkLife4You Resources WorkLife4You web site www.WorkLife4You.com

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