Help Parenting Teenagers and High School Teens Ages 15 and Up

Teen years are wildly unpredictable. You still have the moodiness of the pre-teen years and the battle for independence intensifies. It's not all bad, though. You do have the simple pleasure of watching your teenager make mature decisions and grow into adulthood.

Great, you say, but what about choices regarding curfews, friends, driving, dating, smoking and drinking? Your potential battlegrounds are endless. That's why you must remember this: Don't feel too frustrated or desperate when your son or daughter defies your authority. Reducing dependence on parents is natural and necessary in this life stage. However, you can play a significant role in shaping the decisions your teen makes.

You should be authoritative without being authoritarian. You should teach by word and by example. You should be engaged in your child's education (research shows your involvement can enhance academic success and provide protection against the risks of adolescence).

Don't retreat from your teen's life. Participate in it. Now is the time to reinforce character and build discipline so your teen can survive and thrive in the face of life's many lessons:

How often do you hear, "I'm too old for this"? And how often do you think, "But you're too young for that"?

Welcome to the Tweens: a generation of fashion-conscious, fad-loving, filled-with-attitude youth. You thought angst was a teenage phenomenon. Your 12-year-old is so moody, he begs for attention one minute, and then pretends you don't exist the next. You want to keep your 10-year-old in pigtails, but she tells you belly shirts are the bomb.

It's a constant struggle: the desire for independence versus the need for boundaries. How much can you accept? What cannot be ignored? How do you decide?

The answer may be tricky. But your decision can be made easier. The more involvement you have in your child's life, the easier your communication will be. And communication is the key.
Especially when you're faced with these not-so-uncommon Tween problems:

Caring and care for Kids and Children ages 5-9

The baby fat is gone, and so is your completely dependent child.

An independent, more assertive spirit is awakening. Preferences in food, clothing and entertainment are declared (with astonishing, if not amusing, clarity). Personality traits and quirks are more defined. School is center stage.

Your child is experiencing significant gains in emotional and cognitive development. Prepare yourself for lots of questions:

Can I try?
Why do you do that?
Why do I have a baby brother?
How come you don't have to do homework?
Where did Grandma go, and why can't I see her anymore?

The answers you provide and the behavior you model will make a lasting impression, especially when it comes to issues of:

Caring and care for Kids and Children ages 0-4

The first years are magical, filled with promise and potential. There will be first steps, first teeth and first tears. Amid the excitement will be twinges of anxiety. But that's okay.

Your little one give you lots to think about. Take safety for example. Everything from car seats to cribs requires careful consideration. In fact, by the time your child is crawling, your house will resemble one giant childproof playground. There will be safety latches on kitchen cabinets to keep prying hands out and a safety gate blocking the top stair to keep baby from taking a tumble.

Of course, it's impossible to be completely prepared for everything your baby will experience. Just remember: These experiences are opportunities for you to praise, encourage, teach and model. This is your time to create a bond with your child that will outlast rebellion and separation.