by Lydia Ng'Ang'A

Created on: July 22, 2010   Last Updated: July 23, 2010

HOW PARENTS ROLE CHANGES WHEN CHILDREN BECOME TEENS.

Teenage is the age between thirteen years and nineteen years of any child. At this age so many things happen in the lives of children both physically and emotionally. This is a metamorphosis that only those of us who have passed through understands too well. For girls there is bodily change which includes enlargement of breasts, menstruation and even emotions are ignited. One suddenly starts to realise and behave like a woman.  Others think that all that matters is all they know and even go to an extent of not only doing crazy and regrettable things but also cause a lot of harm and stress to their guardians and society in general. This period is very dangerous if not properly monitored by both the parent and the child herself or himself. It is at this point that most children ruin their future or build it. All types of support is needed because there is usually all types of pressure and mostly the peer pressure dominates, which in most cases does not rhyme with the way of life. Some influence their peers to engage in behaviors that leave a lot to be desired. Girls engage themselves into premarital-sex and even do drugs which diverts their attention to the well-being of their lives. As responsible girl child parents we are supposed to be armed of any eventuality and try as much as possible to guide and help our children understand what is happening to them both emotionally and physically.

For boys, there are certain changes that occur to them like breaking of voice, developing beards and emotional changes. It is at this point that the boy-man develops. The boy realises the need to be a man and if not properly monitored, can have both devastating or good results to the boy and the society at large. The need to be understood and recognized as the man he is becoming soon evolves and it takes a very understanding and wise parent to deal with the new behavioral changes in the child. The parent ought to realise that all that the boy needs is understanding and mentoring. This point can either make or ruin the future of your child and therefore patience and understanding is paramount for any teenage parent at this stage that determines the future of our children. 

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