Preparing for Teen Health Issues

The teenage years hold many challenges and tests for parents as well as teenagers themselves. Preparing for teen health issues before the come up is the best way to deal with those challenges as they arise. Here are some tips to helping parents and teens prepare for the adolescent years.

How does a parent prepare for the teenage years?

As parents and teens approach the adolescent years it can be scary, overwhelming, and exciting all at the same time. There will be good times and bad as teens experience emotional roller coasters and body changes. So as a parent how can you prepare better for the teenage years so it’s not such a drastic change when it finally gets here? Here are some tips to better help you prepare:

1. Boundaries and limits. You can’t expect a teenager to suddenly agree to limits, rules, and boundaries if you have never set them before. No one takes nicely to change especially when it comes to rules. If you want to make this transition a little easier start setting those boundaries way before they reach the teen years. Let them know what your expectations are in terms of behavior and give them rules to live by. You can start out simple like having them make their bed and pick up their room every day, or by taking on simple chores that have to be done before they are allowed to do certain things. When they get to those rebellious teen years it will be much easier to set limits and boundaries because they are use to them already.
2. Choices. Just like everyone else has good and bad choices to make so will your teen. Preparing them for that is the key. You can do this on a daily basis with everything they do. Teaching them that sometimes you have a good and a bad choice while other times both choices may be good or bad but you always have to choose. And most importantly teaching responsibility for the choices they make. This will make the transition for you and your teen much easier.
3. Spend time together. Spending time with your teen so you can really get to know them can make the transition from childhood to teenager much easier. Teens are searching for independence but also want to know that their parent is there to support, communicate, and love them. Taking time to get to know them makes them feel as important as they really are.

Parents’ involvement is key to a happy teen.

What should a parent be preparing for?

Well, since the teenage years are extremely unpredictable it’s difficult to say just exactly what you can expect. Preparing yourself for just about anything and being flexible in terms of what happens is your best bet at preparing for every teen health issue that’s out there. As a “heads up” however here are just a few of the issues that teens face during the adolescent years:

• Body Image. Image is everything right? Well maybe not for everyone, but for a teenager it’s all about what you look like and whether or not you fit in with your peers. Be prepared for changing bodies and some stressed out teens while they go through this part of the teenage years and try to be as supportive as you can.
• Obesity. Surprisingly obesity is increasing among teens due to fast food lunches, unhealthy snacking, and lack of exercise. Don’t be surprised if it seems like all your teen wants to do is sleep, won’t exercise and snacks on candy and soda. Don’t however condone this behavior. Help them stay active and healthy.
• Grooming and cleaning. Some teens may become obsessive with making sure that they’re hair is perfect and that they smell nice, etc. This is just part of the whole body image and finding acceptance among peers.

Preparing for the adolescent years and more specifically for teen health issues that will come up can help you and your teen make a smoother transition into the teenage years.