Radio Commentary
The
toughest time for parents to connect with their children is probably the young
adolescent years from 10 to 15, when parental support is the most important.
Those are the years when children
strive to develop their identity, listen to their peers, and pay attention to
the latest hairstyles, no matter how strange they may look to adults.
It’s
also the time when they make decisions that will follow them throughout their
lives.
Parents
should understand that change at this time is a natural part of maturing.
Your
young adolescent is not the first to experience doubt, anxiety, or worry.
Remember
when it happened to you? And remember that it will end.
Be sure to fight only
the important battles. There will be a wide range of issues that arise during
this time. Your child may decide to dye his hair and may associate with peers
who are experimenting with drugs.
Clearly
the drug issue would have a much greater impact on his life. It might prove
wiser to bite your tongue when you’re tempted to react to the short-term
problem of hair color.
Young
adolescents often think they are the only ones ever to experience what is now
occurring. Remind them, by sharing your own stories, that this is not the case.
