Teenagers’ lives seem to change daily as they discover new things, seek new experiences, and learn to find solutions to the different problems they face throughout their lives. teenager life. This is the time when they go through growth and change, i.e. mentallyemotionally and physically.

Navigating life as a teenager:

As adolescents seek to define their place in the world, parents and caregivers must recognize their evolving expectations and duties. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, spirituality and meditation guru Dr. Archika Sudhanshu shared, “It is important to understand the expectations of adolescents. They crave independence and seek the freedom to make decisions for themselves, which can lead to conflict with parents who may feel the need to protect their children. They also crave acceptance, wanting to feel understood by peers and adults, which makes them sensitive to criticism and rejection, which can lead to low self-esteem. Additionally, they often question their place in the world, searching for purpose, which may manifest through exploring hobbies, volunteering, or academic interests to do something meaningful in life. life.

To balance expectations and responsibilities, she suggested: “It is essential to maintain open and honest communication with your teen, allowing them to freely express their thoughts and feelings. It is also crucial to clearly state expectations regarding behavior, academic performance, and household responsibilities, ensuring that they are age-appropriate and reasonable. Additionally, involving your teen in decision-making processes can help them feel responsible, thereby boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, navigating adolescence can be complex for both parents and teens. By understanding their expectations and responsibilities and establishing open communication and clear expectations, parents can empower their teens to find meaningful purpose and become confident, responsible adults.

Being a parent as a teenager:

Vinu Warrier, Managing Partner and Founder of eduVelocity Global, said: “Going through adolescence is often characterized as a roller coaster journey, as it can be both challenging and rewarding. Adolescents typically face various challenges that impact their physical, emotional and social lives and need unbiased support to help them transition into complex early adulthood. As parents or primary caregivers, it is essential that adolescents view them as a safety net during times of stress. Adolescents undergo a mental shift, experience a hormonal surge leading to occasional bouts of impulsivity, and face extreme social obligations and peer pressure forcing them to make rash decisions that negatively impact their psychological well-being.

To effectively support adolescents, it is important to foster strong, healthy relationships by providing a safe space for open, honest, and unbiased communication. Vinu Warrier said: “As primary caregivers, we must establish rules and responsibilities in a democratic way and avoid dismissing adolescents’ opinions and feelings to enable mutual respect and harmony. Spending quality time, empathizing with teens’ problems and concerns, and helping them set realistic goals can often help them get through these years smoothly. By regularly providing positive reinforcement for responsible behavior, parents can help adolescents become capable and responsible adults.

He added: “During adolescence, students face significant physical, emotional and social changes. To support them, life skills sessions can play a crucial role in equipping them with the essential tools to tackle these challenges. By focusing on skills such as time management, self-regulation and relationships, students can better cope with the demands of high school and beyond, including the transition to study abroad. These skills can help students develop resilience, confidence and a strong foundation for future success.