Social-Emotional Milestone 

They’ll become more independent, so they will want more alone time and more privacy. Friends are important. Although they spend most of their time in school with friends, they may head home and talk with them again.  Romantic relationships may become a part of your teen’s life. Most 15-year-olds will want to spend time with crushes and romantic interest. When asked about their day, they may say very little. Some will prefer social media or text messaging to express themselves. 

Life Skills: Mental Illness

The teenage years are an important time in a teen’s life. It is a time filled with changes and raging hormones. Rapid changes within a child’s surroundings and body may lead to feelings of fear, uncertainty, stress, and an overwhelming sense of a lack of control. With your teen’s constant changes in attitude and behavior, you may begin to question whether these are pointing towards something more serious, such as depression and anxiety. Depression symptoms range from emotional changes such as loss of interest in things that were once important to them, also known as anhedonia. It can also be seen by behavioral changes such as being constantly tired and lacking an appetite. Here is a list of symptoms to look out for if you suspect your child may be battling with some mental health issues.[Article] It may be difficult to know whether there is a more pressing issue, especially at a time when hormones and life changes are affecting your teen. The best option is to seek professional advice from your child’s physician, but here are some questions that you can address with your child first. Is your child isolated? Does your child have a trusted adult they can turn to in times of trouble? Is your child involved in at least one activity that keeps their interest? This could be sports, art, a hobby, or anything that helps them grow. Is your child happy? Remember, hormones can make your pre-teens or teens have wild emotions, but if your child is never happy, it may be a cause of concern. Do you suspect your child to be doing some self-harm? This behavior is typically seen through cutting, but it could also translate to other harmful behavior, such as using alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity, skipping school, or other forms of self-sabotage. Try to see if your child is managing their feelings well. Teenage depression isn’t a sign of weakness but is a medical condition. If unaddressed, it can lead to more harmful consequences. If you notice that your child may be struggling in any of these areas, please contact a medical provider. Building up Resilience in your teens has been shown to increase a child’s ability to handle stress and decrease the likelihood of mental health problems. Resilience means the ability to spring back or recover. Meaning that, although your teen may go through hardships, they can recover and get stronger. Here are some steps to build up resilience: As always, the first step is to listen. Be positive and Be present. Your child, especially those in their tweens and teens, are super sensitive to how everyone looks at them. They are already thinking that everyone is being critical and judging them. Approach your kid with no criticism, no judgment, and don’t be distracted. Two, support balance in your child’s life. Make sure they’re active, have plenty of time to rest, and give them time to be themselves. Teach them mindfulness tricks and model this in your life. Although they may annoy you, stand your ground by staying strong and calm. This is a tough time for everyone. Teenage depression is a serious health problem and is more than just feeling sad. Determining whether your child may be struggling with mental issues should be left to professionals. But as parents, we can provide a supportive home and a safe place for our kids as they go through this crazy time. Normalize talking about issues and be aware that mental health is just as important as physical health. Check out our resource page for more tips and advice on mental health. 

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Key Milestones: May Begin to take Driver’s Ed seriously. This is a time when they can begin getting a learner’s permit. Know though that the Teen must show responsibility on homework and chores before they can take responsibility for a car.