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TWELVE TO EIGHTEEN YEARS

"NORMAL" DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES FOR ADOLESCENTS

Ages 11-14
Heightened awareness of pubertal changes and extreme focus on body image. Socializing with same-sex peers, often in groups, though close friends are also important.

Ages 14-17
Independence and separation from parents, mood swings, rebellion, conflict in all areas. Participation in various social/religious/athletic/political groups, often with "hero worship"

Ages 17-21
Separation and individuation are completed Focus is on vocational or education plans. Ethical and moral values emerge and sexual identity crystalizes.

CHALLENGES TO PARENTS

  1. Prepare for change!
  2. Prepare to be tested.
  3. Prepare for a period of rejection.
  4. Be flexible, set limits, staying firm and consistent.
  5. Don't take everything seriously; try to keep your sense of humor.
  6. Take time to listen...really listen!
  7. Don't let your own adolescence influence you too much.
  8. Acquaint yourself with your teenager's environment; his/her friends, forms of entertainment, teachers, etc.
  9. Talk and inform, do not preach. Use television, music, movies and magazine articles as gateways to meaningful discussions of difficult topics.

NUTRITION
· Do your best to offer healthy foods in your home. Minimize or eliminate foods such as sodas, chips, fried foods, candy, etc.
· Calcium requirement: 1200mg per day - This requires 4-6 servings of dairy products per day (one serving-8oz. Milk or lactaid, 8oz. Yogurt, or 1oz. Cheese). Other calcium sources: orange juice fortified with calcium, tofu, sardines, greens
· Iron requirement: 18mg per day - Sources: Liver, spinach, green vegetables, fortified cereals, beans, beef, raisins.

· Calories: general guidelines (much individual variation).
o Females ages 11-14: 2400
o Males ages 11-14: 2800
o Females ages 15-18: 2100
o Males ages 15-18: 3000

· Ask your doctor about 1) vitamin supplements, 2) vegetarian diets, 3) concerns you may have about your child's dieting or a possible eating disorder.

SAFETY
· Always insist on seat belt use for yourself, your children, and their friends.
· Discuss drinking and driving with your child.
· Unload and lock up, or better yet, remove all guns from the house.
· Know your child's sports coaches, and insist on proper protective equipment in sports and recreation, including bicycle helmets.
· If your adolescent spends time alone in the house, make sure he/she knows about fire exits, fire extinguisher and neighbors’ phone numbers to call for help, etc.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE
· Your teenager should receive a Tetanus/Pertussis booster and a Meningitis booster at 12 years of age. Females should start the HPV vaccine series at this time as well.
· At your doctor's discretion, based on your child's health needs and your concerns, your teenager may be tested for anemia, high cholesterol.
· Please recall that some health-related topics during adolescence may remain confidential between your child's doctor and him/her.

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