Common Puberty Struggles And How You Can Help Your Kids

Puberty can be an emotional time for both teenagers and their parents. Puberty can be confusing, awkward and hard on kids who experience it alone; parents are often uncertain how best to support their child through these changes and emotions.

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Here Are 6 Common Struggles During Puberty And How Parents Can Help Their Child Navigate Them:

1. Emotions

Puberty can be a time of mixed emotions for both teens and their parents. Hormonal fluctuations during this period may cause extreme highs and lows, intense anger or sadness without explanation, as well as unpredictable shifts in mood that seem erratic. Parents must foster open dialogues with their children so they have a safe place to discuss their emotions; encouraging journaling, drawing, listening to music or any other form of creative expression as an outlet. Providing resources such as Christian books as needed may also prove helpful during this challenging transition period.

2. Physical Changes 

Puberty brings with it many physically noticeable and disconcerting changes that are both noticeable and uncomfortable for teens. Common symptoms include acne, greasy hair, overcrowded or misaligning teeth, sudden growth spurts and fatigue – none of which parents can control; all they can do is be supportive throughout this journey by normalizing conversation about puberty with your child, researching teeth straightening options for kids, showing understanding for discomfort due to changing bodies as well as helping create self-care routines such as nightly skin care ritual or regular exercise that help manage feelings associated with these physical changes.

3. Academic Pressure

Once teens enter high school, they may become overwhelmed by increased academic demands. Anxiety and stress over grades may prove challenging to both teens and parents to manage effectively, leading them to prioritize mental health over grades if necessary, as being overly stressed can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance use or depression. Encourage your teenager to find healthy outlets like exercise or talking with a Christian counselor or Youth Pastor as much as possible while reminding them it is alright to take breaks whenever needed.

4. Self-Identity Queries and Exploration

Puberty can be a time of challenging identity and values. Teens may explore various interests while beginning to form their own opinions on life and society. Parents need to provide their children with a safe space where they can ask questions, voice opinions, and explore who they are without fear of judgment or criticism; this will allow them to develop confidence as they transition into adulthood.

5. Family Conflicts

As part of growing up, healthy conflicts between teens and their parents often arise. Teenagers may voice strong disagreements with family values or become disgruntled over rules set in place at home; it can be challenging for both sides to work through these disagreements; therefore it is imperative that families create an open dialogue where everyone's feelings are acknowledged and respected to help foster strong relationships among parent/teen pairs and teach how to resolve conflict in an effective manner.

6. Mental Health Struggles

Mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and eating disorders are prevalent during teenage years. It is therefore crucial that as a parent you be vigilant for any warning signs that indicate their struggle, seek assistance from your church Pastor who may refer you to a mental health professional, if necessary, and establish open dialogue where your teen can express their emotions without feeling judged or ashamed.

This is a contributed post.

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