A Guide for Parents

Introduction

This is an exciting time to be a teenager in America. Young people today are growing up in a rapidly changing society with hopes for a very promising future. Survey results show that 84% of high-school students plan to attend a four-year college. Teens overwhelmingly share their parents' values of honesty and hard work, and are engaged in positive activities. More than half of all teenagers volunteer with a community organization, attend a house of worship weekly, read the newspaper twice a week or more, and attend cultural events or visit museums.

In spite of this positive outlook, however, adolescence-the transition between childhood and adulthood-is still one of the most difficult times for children and parents alike. Growing up is more than the physical changes that occur, such as getting taller or more muscular. This passage is a time for establishing independence, testing limits, trying on different roles, exploring new feelings, and fostering intellectual growth. Above all, adolescence is a process that takes time to happen.

We have all heard the frightening and heart-breaking statistics about youth violence, depression, tobacco, and alcohol and other drug use. Even the best-informed young people are constantly tested by social pressures, emotional needs, and their peers. The push and pull between right and wrong can become a tug of war between adolescent and parent.

Being a parent, grandparent, foster parent, or caregiver of a teen is both rewarding and challenging. Caring adults can make all the difference in a child's life.

This guide provides some useful tools to improve your communication with your teenager to help him or her get through adolescence successfully. Read it all or select the sections that help you the most.

*Getting the Conversation Started- tips for opening up the dialogue, even after it has been shut down.

*Increasing Responsibility and Freedom-ideas for how to set the limits that protect your teens while still giving them room to grow and develop.

*Managing Anger: Theirs and Yours- anger-management skills that you can use, and that you can share with your adolescent.

*Handling Tough Situations-examples of difficult situations, identification of warning signs of trouble, and advice on how to handle certain problems.

*When Parents Need Help First-helping your spouse, or yourself, deal with issues that are affecting your ability to parent.

*Getting Help for Your Teen- suggestions about how to get help for your teen and your family.