What to Know About Adolescence as a Parent

Once you are a parent, you have likely already undergone adolescence yourself, but you may not have been aware of all the changes that took place in your body and mind at the time. It can be difficult to relate to your teen when you are not fully aware of what they are going through. Keep reading for things you should know about this period in your child’s life, so you can be a well-informed parent on the issue.

Changes That Happen in Adolescence

When a teen is experiencing adolescence, this can begin happening as soon as they age into the double digits. In other words, whenever puberty begins, this may go hand in hand with a child becoming an adolescent. During this time, they are many changes that take place, which will better prepare them for becoming an adult.

For example, children may start to grow more hair on their bodies, males may see a difference in the size of their genitals, and females may begin to grow breasts. A girl might also start her menstrual cycle for the first time during this developmental stage.

Another change that takes place will be in their mind and with their maturity. As a child grows into a teen during adolescence, they become better able to understand more concepts and discover the ability to make plans and think for themselves. This is also likely the time that they will become interested in dating and sex.

For further details on adolescence, visit this site: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/adolescence. There is advice and information to review.

When to Be Concerned

There are so many changes that you may see with your adolescent that it can be difficult to ascertain what is a cause for concern and what isn’t. However, there are a few signs to look for, which can let you know that they may need further help.

For example, if your child starts to become anxious and it doesn’t seem to be letting up, they may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Seeking therapy for this condition might be able to lessen symptoms.

Another sign to look out for is if they start to isolate themselves from friends, neglect their schoolwork, or are lax about their hygiene. When you notice these things, your teen may be experiencing depression or another type of mood disorder. These can also see benefit from working with a therapist.

Essentially, you will likely see your child growing up before your eyes, but if their behavior doesn’t seem right to you or if they simply aren’t acting like themselves, there is no harm in taking them to the doctor or a therapist. It may be the proper course of action.

How to Seek Help

If you don’t know where to turn when it comes to finding a therapist for your adolescent, there are a few ways to locate resources that may benefit your family.

First, you should consider talking to your child’s pediatrician. They might be able to offer you a referral for a child psychologist or therapist that specializes in treating adolescents.

You may also want to consider talking to friends, neighbors, or family members, in order to find out if they know of a therapist that you can rely on. Someone in your network of friends might have worked with one in the past.

Additionally, you can perform a quick internet search, where you should be able to locate therapists in your area. Once you have some names and numbers, you can find out if they are covered by your insurance plan. If they are not, you may want to look into county or city clinics that have the capability to provide therapy for children and teens. In some areas, these clinics are low cost or more affordable than other options.

Conclusion

When your child grows into an adolescent, this can be a tumultuous time for them. You may be able to parent them better when you are more aware of what they are going through and the changes that are taking place with their body, mind, and thinking. Keep learning and make sure to reach out to a therapist if you feel like your teen needs more support.

This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.