PARENTING & TEENAGERS

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Each child is unique, and every phase of parenting is different. As children grow, your parenting must adapt. As they mature, children lose their innocence, begin asking difficult questions, and explore new ideas. Adolescence brings great change, and parents must understand these shifts to help their child navigate this stage safely.

In addition to physical changes, teens undergo significant social and emotional transformations. They experience emotional highs and lows—today’s a good day, tomorrow feels like the world is ending. This emotional roller coaster is due to the development of the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center, which matures earlier than the prefrontal cortex, responsible for reasoning, decision-making, and self-control. Because of this, teens may make impulsive decisions without fully considering the consequences.

Socially, teens are redefining relationships and seeking an identity separate from their parents. Sexual curiosity often arises, and romantic relationships begin to develop. For many teens, high school is more about socializing than academics.

Spiritually, teens are re-evaluating what their parents and church have taught them. They are forming their own beliefs, understanding why they believe what they do, and deciding how their beliefs will influence their lives.

These changes present many challenges. The typical teen feels too old to be a child but too young to be fully grown. They want the privileges of adulthood but still long for the carefree days of childhood. They are also grappling with career and religious identity, all while facing societal pressures from television, music, and a culture that promotes moral relativism.

During these years, parents can support their teens by making God the family’s priority. Teens need to understand the importance of choosing friends wisely and making decisions prayerfully. The home environment has the greatest impact on a teen’s development, and parents should remember that their teen needs their guidance and support now more than ever.