Parenting a teenager can be the most stressful part of parenthood. Many parents lack confidence and most teenagers are experts in using that fact to their own advantage!

If you have a teenager (or more!) at home, and you feel that you are living in the middle of World War 2, you are not alone!

The most important thing is to get support, talk to other people who are parenting a teenager, and better still, parents who have been through this and survived!

Most arguments are centred around the teenager’s need to gain greater independence. Generally the struggle is because they want to go faster than the parent feels is safe.

Whether this is about what time to come home at night, who they see, school and homework, love and sex or many other issues, it usually boils down to the fact that your teen wants complete control over his life without interference!

As parents, we know that our teenager is not yet always able to make the best decision as they have not fully matured and have not got the benefit of wisdom on their side. We know that we have to guide them in their choices and in how they live their lives, in order to keep them safe, and so that they have good prospects for the future.

Dealing with a stroppy teenager can sometimes feel like walking on egg shells. One minute you may be having a peaceful conversation, and the next minute you may be attacked with a whirlwind of abuse, followed swiftly by the stomping steps and slamming of doors by a departing sulker!

When this is the case, trying to help, or get help, for a troubled teenager with a particular problem can seem impossible.

The following pages offer advice on a variety of issues which can affect teenagers:

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For advice on teenagers and alcohol go to our Teen Alcohol Drinking page.

Teenager studying Biology? Click on Human Body System Diagrams

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