CYP Now - Policy & Practice: Policy into practice - The teenage years arealso difficult for parents

Nothing can fully prepare parents for the experience of having their first baby. It is as bewildering as it is exciting and wonderful. But most parents agree that being a parent of older children and teenagers can be just as challenging and, while there is lots of advice available for those with very young children, parents of older children can often feel on their own.

The teenage years create changes for young people that often leave theirparents struggling to offer the support they need. Moving to the moreadult environment of secondary school and changing friends, as well asphysical and emotional changes, are things every teenager has to dealwith.

But for some, the transition is more difficult than others leading toconfusion, anger and, in some cases, despair. For parents who arestruggling to cope, isolation and a feeling of failure can be all toocommon.

Recognising the need for, and importance of, support for parents ofteenagers is crucial as we develop new services for young people andfamilies in and around secondary schools. And there are already servicesthat we can draw ideas from.

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