Parenting
Orientation
Freshman (0 - 5)
Sophomore (6 - 10)
Junior (11 - 14)
Senior (15 - 18)
Stay at Home Dads
Single Dads
Divorced Dads
Legal Information
Dads Club
Senior (15 - 18): Ages and Stages 15-18th Year
Physical Growth
- Girls stop growing. Boys keep growing and start to “fill out”.
- May think about or masturbate often.
Mental/Emotional Growth
- More abstract (not concrete) thinking.
- Uses logic and debate an issue.
- Starts to know that others’ thoughts don’t always have to do with them.
- Private with being naked. Doesn’t like parents or siblings to see naked.
- Worried about school work.
- Does almost all homework without help from parents. Relies more on peers for help with homework.
- Likes using “smarts” and outwitting others.
- May fall in love and learn about “being in love”
- Explores “sex appeal”. May wear “revealing” clothes.
- May want a car for freedom.
- Has or wants a job to earn money.
- May try alcohol or drugs.
- Wants to learn and discover things on own. Wants more freedom.
- Tries to see how looks (body image) through his/her own eyes more than through peers’ views.
- Often sees and may talk about own flaws and how often fails at things. Has a hard time asking for help. Often detaches from emotions or feelings.
- Tends to withdraw when upset or hurt.
Social Growth
- Can still be very selfish. More “arrogant: or “full of” him/herself.
- Relationships with parents may be at a low point.
- Greater push for freedom can cause conflict in relationships.
- Being liked by peers is very important. Big fear of rejection/not being liked.
Tips to Help Your Child Grow
1. Be ready for teen behavior. Friend become more important. Your child might talk back to you more often and test you in other ways. He/she will try to be more independent such as refuse to take part in family events. He/she may be more moody and take new, unsafe risks.
2. Decide with your child when he/she can do things on his/her own, including staying at home alone.
3. Be fair with what you expect from your child. Give your child more independence and responsibility as he/she can handle and earns it.
4. Set clear limits and discipline and punishments for breaking rules. Use humor to get your point across.
5. Show and tell your child how important school is. Go to parent-teacher meetings and school events. Help with homeowner because there is more of it and it’s harder. Suggest that peers help with homework (study groups).
6. Help your child’s self-esteem by praising him/her often and showing you love him/her. Don’t criticize a lot, nag, or make fun of your child.
7. Set aside time just to talk and do other things with your child, even if he/she doesn’t ask for it.
8. Respect your child’s need for privacy both physical and emotional.
9. Tell your child what you expect with regard to drug and alcohol use and dating now and in the future.
10. Teach your child how to manage anger and resolve conflicts without physical or emotional violence.
