PSY 4-2

Instructions

In this course, you are asked to complete three journal assignments in which you reflect on “raising” a teen from birth through age 18 years. Earlier in the course, you reflected on your readings and personal experiences to consider the unique challenges of raising a child from birth to 10 years. In this module, you will again reflect on your readings and personal experiences to consider the unique challenges of raising a child from 10 to 14 years (this is the “tween” and early adolescent developmental period).

Raising your child from ages 10 to 14 years is marked by the challenges of adolescence and puberty. What does this period start? Everybody's different—from early bloomers to slow-but-steady growers. In other words, there's a wide range of what's considered normal development. That said, this period is marked by more than the development of adult sexual characteristics, such as breasts and menstrual periods in females and growing facial hair and deepening of the voice in males. There are also dramatic changes in behavior. Kids desire greater independence; they are increasingly aware of how others, especially their peers, see them and “fitting in” is a critical aspect of their psychological development (KidsHealth, 2020). According to KidsHealth (2020), “Kids may start ‘trying on’ different looks and identities, and they become very aware of how they differ from their peers, which can result in episodes of distress and conflict with parents” and peers alike. Their peers often become more important than parents as far as making decisions.

Parents raising children at these ages are often given advice, such as talk to your kids early and often, put yourself in their shoes (be empathetic), pick your battles, set expectations, respect your kids’ privacy while also monitoring their behavior, and look for “warning signs” regarding your child’s mental health. For this journal entry, consider—from your readings and from your own experiences—the challenges of raising a child from ages 10 to 14 years. Specifically, answer the following questions:

 Put yourself in in the role of the parent. What strategies do you feel would be successful to raise your own child from ages 10 to 14 years?

 How does your parenting perspective relate to your own experiences and the course material?

 What specific relevant connections can you make?