July2012_Living with Adolescence

A Guide for Parents by Robyn Maggs –
Have you ever squashed, or seen a squashed, cocoon or pupa?  Inside there is neither a recognisable caterpillar nor butterfly/moth.  What you do see appears to be simply mush.

For your teenagers, adolescence is a time of great physical and emotional upheaval and change.  It is a time of inner turmoil, frustration and intense confusion, a time when your son or daughter is no longer a child yet nor are they an adult.
Mixed with the excitement of moving towards independence are the fears and anxieties of coming to terms with an understanding of a range of questions.  Who am I?  What is my purpose?  Who/what will I become?  How do I matter?  This is coupled with the conflicting needs for parental support and understanding and the drive to separate from parents and begin claiming independence.
Parenting an adolescent is a difficult and important job.  Challenges include:
Teen’s rejection of parents in favour of friends
Worry/concern about behaviours being engaged in
Teen’s unwillingness to share information and feelings with parents
Being perceived as freedom ‘police’ – as holding them back
Misunderstandings through challenges in communication add to an already bumpy road making it difficult for parents to know how to offer the understanding and help teen’s need to enable them to emerge as caring, responsible adults.
Parents are Human too – coming next month.  In the mean time remember help is available to parents and teens if the challenges become overwhelming.
Robyn Maggs
Eyes of Heart
Ph. 3103 1249.