Remember when you first learned you were expecting a baby and rushed out to buy the book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”? You couldn’t wait to learn what was ahead for you and your developing baby, week by week, and month by month!
Your child arrived and before she even started crawling, you were putting latches on the cabinets, covering the outlets, and putting gates at the bottom of the stairs. You loved this baby so much that you would do anything to PROTECT her; you PREPARED for each developmental stage with the ultimate goal of keeping her fully nurtured and safe.
Elementary school came along and life was good, pretty predictable…and then she turned 12 or 13, and the tide began to change.
So many changes are churning through the bodies, minds, and emotions of children in middle school and high school..
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING…A TEENAGER!
Adolescence can be a tricky time for parents as their once easygoing child starts to crave independence and wants to make her own decisions. Although your child now ‘appears’ physically and emotionally ready to go out and meet the world, she doesn’t yet know how to connect all the dots when confronted with adult issues. Her brain is not fully developed and she doesn’t yet have the maturity or experiences to be released too quickly.
Research tells us that the window between the ages of 11 and 15 is a critical time. What you do now as a parent can make all the difference.
I am on the other side of parenting adolescents and am deeply passionate about keeping children emotionally healthy and physically safe. As a parent counselor, I can help you navigate the bumpy path. Although we can’t always control the decisions our children make, our influence matters.
-Eileen
I'm excited to share my brand new website with you. Please take a peek at www.eileensutherland.com.