How to Talk to Your Preteens and Teens About Anything
According to parenting expert and developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld, crossing the bridge from childhood to adulthood has never been more daunting. Making the transition from preteen to teenager can be an exciting time of life. However, the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence can also be very confusing.
Kids are hearing about and forced to cope with tough issues at increasingly early ages, often before they are ready to understand all aspects of these complicated ideas.* Young teenagers may have difficulty talking to their parents and discussions can develop into arguments that are confrontational and stop communication altogether.
Please find below resources and helpful tips for professionals and for parents of preteens and teens aged 10 – 15 on how to initiate conversations about anything, and how to talk to your children about tough issues such as sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, alcohol and drugs.
*Excerpted from the Talking With Kids About Tough Issues website
Parenting in the Transition Years Resources:
- Options for Sexual Health: 1-800-SEX-SENSE Line
- Child and Youth Nurse on-call: 604-983-6700
- www.sieccan.org
- www.sexandu.ca/
- www.bewebaware.ca
- www.saleemanoon.com
- www.teachingsexualhealth.ca
- www.advocatesforyouth.org
- Hollyburn Family Services
- Vancouver Coastal Health