How to Help Your Teen Navigate the Challenges of Puberty
There’s no denying puberty can be a tough time for students and their families. Not only are kids adjusting to major changes in their bodies, but they’re also dealing with unpredictable emotions and the ongoing demands of school.
While there are no magical cures for the pressures of puberty, there are many things you can do to help your student navigate this challenging time of life.
Give Teens Space
All adults have been through puberty, but it can be hard to remember what it was like. Puberty usually starts around the ages of 8 -13 for girls and 9 -14 for boys. Over this time young people experience physical changes, fluctuating hormones and rapid brain development.
As they reach puberty, kids may express a desire for more independence and privacy. Peer relationships often take centre stage as students lose interest in previous hobbies and pastimes.
You can help your teen by:
- Not taking it personally if your teen doesn’t want to spend as much time with you.
- Providing opportunities for them to become more independent.
- Allowing them more privacy while maintaining rules and boundaries.
Talk About Changes
There may be times your teen doesn’t want to talk, but it’s vital to keep the lines of communication open. When they have mood swings and become irritable, it’s important to recognise that they are dealing with changes that can be scary and anxiety-inducing.
Energy levels can also fluctuate during puberty, adding to fatigue and making it harder for kids to get moving and complete chores. This can lead to tension, arguments and a breakdown in communication.
You can help your teen by:
- Teaching them to become more mindful of their behaviour and what triggers them.
- Discussing healthy ways to process their emotions.
- Modelling self-control by stepping away from a conversation when it starts to become heated.
Focus on Motivation
It’s well known that young people lose some of their motivation at school during puberty. This is because hormonal changes make it harder for teens to focus in class and remember things.
Fatigue also makes learning more difficult, and students at this stage are more easily distracted by peers. The end result is that their schoolwork suffers, and their grades often drop. The good news is that changes to the teenage brain also make it more receptive to rewards, and you can use this to your benefit.
You can help your teen by:
- Encouraging them to take up new hobbies and interests to keep their mind active.
- Finding a subject or topic they’re interested in and exploring it together.
- Coming up with a reward system that motivates them to maintain their grades.
Hire a Tutor
Teenagers need time and space to deal with the challenges of puberty, but school pressure only increases as students get older.
Our tutors can help your high school student stay on top of their learning by identifying areas they may be falling behind as well as assisting with organisation and concentration.