Posted on October 04, 2010 by admin

A key challenge in parenting your pre-teen to teenage girl is to remain emotionally connected while granting her more privacy and autonomy.  As she changes, your parenting may have to shift and change as well. 

In this stage our girls begin to reach a period in their development when a separation from their parents naturally occurs. Remember that this is a good time to remain more fluid and open. The sometimes daily rise and fall of your girl’s emotions can require different kinds of support.

Knowing how and when to provide support can play an important role in future responsibility and independence. Ask your girl what kind of support she needs from you at this time? This is a great question to open up the lines of communication.

Try not to judge, be critical, or defensive of her response. You might be very surprised at what she has to say and she might just have the answer! 

Elissa Bowes, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, a nationally board certified, registered Art Therapist, works with emotionally challenged, and at-risk children, adolescents, adults, and families and as a consultant to organizations throughout New Jersey. Request her FREE report, “Is Your Daughter Driving You NUTS? 10 Things You Must Know To Keep You From Losing Your Mind Or Pulling Out Your Hair In The Process” by visiting www.higherartnj.com .