Your 14/15 Year Old

Your fourteen year old is intensively involved with and influenced by his or her friends.  If it hasn’t occurred already, you’ll notice an increase in the number of conflicts with your 14 year old over his or her independence.  In addition, your teen may have become very interested in the opposite sex.  At this age your adolescent is frequently idealistic and altruistic.

Caring for Your Child

Spending time with your teen is still an important job for you as a parent.  Getting to know his or her likes and dislikes, as well as interests, will help you grow closer during a time when it feels as though you’re growing apart.  It is at this age that many parents realize that their children have their own lives and interests and feel pushed aside.  Despite this feeling, continue to push the issue of spending some time together.  Take time to praise your teen for positive behavior – good grades, sports accomplishments, and/or community achievements.

Learn to recognize potentially destructive behaviors such as poor grades, truancy, antisocial behavior, sexual activity, use of drugs and alcohol and eating disorders in your teen.

Be fair in your creation and administration of rules.  Provide an allowance and household chores.  Most importantly, respect your teen’s privacy.  This respect will go a long way in maintaining trust when conflicts arise.

Your Child’s Health and Safety

As your child enters further into adolescence, some of the dangers he or she faces become more of a day to day reality.  Talk with your child about the dangers of sex.  Sex at this age is inappropriate and dangerous.  However, if you have a concern with your child’s sexual activity, talk with us about it.  Other health and safety concerns include: 

• Encouraging your child to practice self examination of breasts or testes.
• Requiring that he or she wears a seat belt at all times while riding in the car.
• Telling your teen not to ride with a driver who is reckless, drunk or using drugs.
• Continuing to advise on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

Your child’s next physical will be at 16 years of age, or 15 years of age if a physical is required for sports, camping, or other activities.  If your child has a chronic medical condition such as asthma, allergies or scoliosis, we will advise you on the timing of your next visit.