You’ve made it through the first decade of childrearing – and now you’re into the “major league,” raising a teenager. Teenagers can be lots of fun, as they become more grown up, more capable of having an “adult-like” relationship with you. But their child part still requires plenty of direction. How do you discipline an adolescent who is bigger than you are? Coping with your own feelings of powerlessness, hurt and anger can be challenging, as your teenager is sometimes rude and out of control. You may want to practice some Tough Love now or maybe you should hold back on your own negativity. How do you know which route to take? Perhaps your teen is as sweet as pie but wants you to buy her every brand name product under the sun. Do you give in?

Teenagers are learning about life through experimentation; hence the cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, piercing and sex. It can be scary for parents as their youngster literally gets behind the wheel of the car. When do you provide support? When do you let go? Sometimes there is a slippery slope between normal teenage moodiness and serious teenage depression. Eating disorders, cutting, stealing and other forms of acting out can be desperate cries for help; what are the symptoms of teens in distress? When and how do you intervene?

How do you help your healthy child stay on top of the ball with academics, social life, household chores and extra curricular activities? Now is the time to let your teenager have the experiences that will help him get ready for adulthood: experience spending money, traveling on his own, setting his own bedtime and wake-up time, learning to cook, do laundry and manage his schedule. Everyone learns through their mistakes, but it can be hard for parents to stand back and watch. Parents still want to protect their youngsters from failure at school, sexual disease, heartbreak and other disasters. Sometimes spouses disagree as to the correct strategy, one parent wanting to come down hard, the other feeling that more patience is required. Teenagers can pull parents apart.

Share your concerns and victories with other parents of teens. Doing it together is always better than going it alone!