How to Deal With Your Teenager (for Parents)
As your kids go into their teen years, it's obvious that things are going to change. To get along and help your 13-19 year old develop in a positive direction, you'll need to change your expectations and develop empathy, all the while establishing boundaries. This article will outline that process, making a very intimidating topic as straightforward as possible. Your child needs to be healthy and happy, but so do you!
1
Change your expectations. Studies show that the frontal cortex of the brain does not completely develop until a person is well into their twenties.[1] The brain of a teenager is a work in progress. The frontal lobe of the brain is the seat of what researchers call the "executive functions." It's the part of our brains that helps us to plan, control our impulses, and reason. It's tempting to treat teenagers - who are so close to adulthood - as though they were fully capable of logical reasoning, decision-making, and impulse control. But they just aren't there yet. Their brains are in the middle of a critical stage of development, and they need you to help them through this part of their lives. Instead of assuming they will act and think like an adult, be prepared for impulsive and seemingly irrational behavior.