| > | | | | deal. Be considerate of your kid’s feelings, and |
| It may be tempting to close your eyes and wait for | | | | know that she is not just being a drama queen. Try |
| your kid's teen years to blow over, but pay attention | | | | not to add to the problem by making her feel like |
| so you can nip any risky behavior in the bud. Here | | | | you’re not taking her problem seriously. Yes, |
| are some tips. | | | | she will most likely look back one day and realize how |
| Adolescence is a chaotic time at best. It’s like | | | | silly she is being, but telling her that right now is only |
| you go to sleep a child and wake up something else, | | | | going to make her thing you don’t care about |
| not quite an adult. Not only are hormonal fluctuations | | | | what’s going on with her. |
| causing your body to change dramatically pretty | | | | Teenagers tend to gravitate away from the family |
| much overnight, but your place in society is kind of in | | | | unit and cling to their group of friends. This is their |
| limbo as well. It’s enough to make even the | | | | way of testing how they will interact with society at |
| most well adjusted person question his place in the | | | | large. You will probably have concerns about these |
| world. Even though it is a phase in life that every | | | | creatures your child is trying to spend her ever |
| living thing must go through, it’s not at all a | | | | waking hour with. Keep in mind that all these other |
| smooth transition. Some graduate into adulthood | | | | kids are in the middle of the same turmoil yours is |
| relatively unscathed, but for some it’s the | | | | going through. You can visit for more information on |
| start of a long, tough road that spirals down to a | | | | dealing with troubled teens. |
| life-long path of despair and destruction. | | | | Be patient, and try not to judge her friends by their |
| Of course there’s a certain amount of | | | | appearance. Under all those chains, piercings and |
| teenage angst that, though sure to being some | | | | bright blue Mohawks might be some completely |
| upheaval to your home, is perfectly healthy. | | | | decent kids. They’re just trying to find |
| It’s important to know what to expect so | | | | themselves. What you need to pay close attention |
| you, as a parent, can detect anything that might be | | | | to is how these kids behave. Keep an eye out for |
| a sign of trouble. Adolescence is when kids start to | | | | signs of drug use. Younger kids are probably not |
| pull away from their parents emotionally so they can | | | | going to have the experience or contacts to access |
| prepare to separate from the family unit and form | | | | a variety of drugs, so you’re probably not |
| their identity as an individual. So don’t be | | | | going to see needle tracks. Look for more subtle |
| overly concerned when your teen starts spending | | | | signs like erratic behavior, bloodshot eyes, missing |
| more and more time in her room or out with friends. | | | | money or other valuables when they leave, paranoia |
| At times it might even seem like she’s trying | | | | or excessive nervousness. Also be on the lookout for |
| to drive you away. Try not to take it too personally. | | | | any wounds that might be self-inflicted. Trust your |
| This process may be painful for all involved, but | | | | gut. This is when you have to jump in and take |
| it’s absolutely necessary for your child to | | | | action. There are a variety of treatment options, |
| grow into a happy, stable adult. | | | | from talk therapy to inpatient hospitals. Keep in touch |
| Drama is just a standard part of the teenage years. | | | | with what your children are up to so you can catch |
| Surging hormones are making their emotions go | | | | the warning signs. |
| crazy. That’s why everything is such a big | | | | |