A tween is a child between the ages of 10 and 12 who is too old to be a child (at least in his opinion) and too young to be a teenager (in your opinion). Parenting your tween can be challenging as you and your child are adjusting to the new “normal” in your family. Let’s look at a few sites that have some advice for parents of tweens.
Growing Up Too Fast!
Yes, your child is probably growing up faster than you would like, but it’s happening. If you are a parent of a tween, you might be dealing with mood swings, growth spurts, puberty and a push for independence from your child. In this Childhood 101 site, it says parenting tweens is a “balancing act of keeping them close while also letting them fly away to experience life and learn from their new-found independence” because they still need a home base. The site offers 9 top tips to make this transition time as smooth as possible for both you and your child. It is essential that you stay connected to your tween, so take a look at this site to see if any of the tips would be helpful for you. CLICK HERE to view the site.
Positive Parenting Your Tween
Aha Parenting offers more insight and advice to parents of tweens. It says there is a “magical blossoming” during the middle school years that is filled with ups and downs. The biggest danger for the tween is losing connection to the parents while struggling to find his or her place and connect in their peer world. The biggest danger for the parents is trying to parent through power instead of through relationships. There are 12 suggestions to parents on how to do positive parenting during this particularly challenging time. Some of the tips are to rethink your ideas about discipline, don’t underestimate hormones and stay connected. CLICK HERE to check out all the helpful tips.
Mistakes Parents Make with Tweens and Teens
WebMD has a list of 5 mistakes parents make with their tweens and teens. The first one is always expecting the worst. If a parent has negative expectations for their child, it could actually promote the behavior you fear the most. Also, don’t sweat the small stuff like a funky hairstyle or choice of clothes. On the other hand, don’t ignore the big stuff. If you suspect unacceptable behavior such as alcohol or drug use, you must take action. Try to find the balance between too much or too little discipline so your child can find a balance between obedience and freedom. CLICK HERE to read it all.
As your child changes physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially, your support and unconditional love will be essential to get you both through the tween years. Please let me and our readers know your thoughts about the tween years.
