Oh, those wonderful, exciting, scary and VERY challenging years!! -- Preteen and Teenage years! These years are probably the MOST important years that parents and children have to face.
As a parent of a teenager and a preteen - a boy AND a girl - all I can say is WOW! Do I have my job cut out for me! Do I believe I'm ready for all to come? NOT! But I'm going to try my very best! Unfortunately that doesn't come with a 100% guarentee that my best will work in all the things yet to come.
I believe these years are the ones we as parents not only have to inch by inch let go, but we also have to really open our eyes and minds and I believe pay even closer attention to our children, while letting them make choices and decisions.
So, this page is dedicated to those years -- PRETEEN and TEENAGE years!
Your Preteen
Don't be suprised if your child...
Acts like friends matter more than you do
Needs you more than they'll ever let you know
Has bursts of energy followed by long periods of doing nothing
Stays on an emotional roller coaster - up one minute...down the next!
Criticizes well-loved things - home, school...and you
Criticizes and thinks less of themselves than you do
Experiments with different looks
Want's more privacy and independence
Accuses you of "preaching at him/her"
Tries your patience
Does what you suggest...but never while you're looking.
Adolescents Directory Online: Resources
Ability's Anorexia Page
FACTS FOR PARENTS ABOUT DEPRESSION Exerpts from Quick Tips from The Parent Institute.
*MY NOTES: The below MAY or MAY NOT be signs of Depression or Suicide, but I believe if our children show any of the below consistently, it should be taken very seriously.
Symptons
School Difficulties poor grades and not getting along with teachers or peers.
Deep Sadness lack of energy, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activties, difficulty in concentrating.
Failure in School often accompanied by disinterest or feelings of helplessness.
Social Isolation a lack of close friends -- even though there may be some contact with a group of peers.
Discord or Disruption in the family -- divorce, separation, alcoholism and physical or sexual abuse.
Recent Death or Suicide Attempt by a loved one or family member. Breakup with boyfriend or girlfiend.
Atypical Sleep and eating problems.
Talking About Feelings Like A Failure Talking about suicide. Comments such as "The only way out is for me to die," or "You won't be seeing me around any more."
Collecting Pills razor blades, knives, ropes or guns.
Giving Away Personal Possessions Writing a suicide note.
Previous Suidice Attempt.
HMS: Talking to Your Kids about Sex
Go To My It Takes A Village Page
American Council for Drug Education
Cocaine Anonymous
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
National Families in Action
GENERAL LINKS
Gettysburgh Adolescent Parenting Program
Great Page for Parents of Teenagers!
Living With Your Teenager - Issue Six - Sibling Rivalry
Parent to Parent - Raising Teens & Preteens
Parenting Library - Teens
Parenting of Adolescents - Definitive Collection of Net Links
Talking to Your Teen
Parenting Today's Teen
Seminars & Resources for Parents of Teens & Preteens
Teenagers & Parenting Related Websites
The Parenting Page: Parenting Adolescents
Youth Resources Directory Search Guide
CNN - In-Depth Health: Parenting Teens
Child, Youth and Family Health
Don't Panic - A Parent's Guide
Facts About Eating Disorders
Living with your Teen - Understanding Emotional Changes
Mental Health Risk Factors for Adolescents
Parenting Teens: Grief & Teens
Teen Health Publications
What Are Eating Disorders
Restlessness grouchiness, sulkiness, agression.
Withdrawl From Activities they formerly enjoyed.
Sleeplessness or sleeping more than normal.
Weight Gain Or Loss
Unwillingness to cooperate in family projects.
Extreme or Sudden Mood Changes.
Abuse of Alcohol or Other Drugs.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY/TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT SEX
Talking to Your Teenage about Sex and Sexuality
Teenage Pregnancy - Baby Think It Over
Teens and Health
Teenage Pregnancy Resources
164 West 7th Street
New York, NY 10023
212-758-8060
1-800-488-DRUG
3740 Overland Avenue, Suite G
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310-559-5833
1-800-347-8998
P.O. Box 2345
Rockville, MD 20847-2345
301-468-2600
1-800-729-6686
12 West 21st Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10010
1-800-622-2255
Information & Treatment Referral Hotline
11426-28 Rockville Pike, Suite 410
Rockville, MD 20852
1-800-662-HELP
P.O. Box 862
Midtown Station
New York, NY 10018-0862
212-302-7240
1-800-344-2666 (US)
1-800-443-4525 (CANADA)
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115
212-870-3400
2296 Henderson Mill Road
Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30345
404-934-6364