Parent Tips - Friendship

• Encourage participation in range of activities – different people, mixed gender opportunities

• Know where your kids are spending their time - real and online.

• Be careful of criticising their friends and peer group

• Listen

Parent Tips - Independence

• Provide opportunities for ‘healthy risk’

• Ensure opportunities to succeed

• Setting reasonable goals/expectations – not too high, not too low (Goldilocks)

• Expect some ‘pushing away’

Parent Tips - Learning• Homework

– Take an active interest but it is your child’s responsibility– Support them in setting aside time each day and providing

supportive environment (including sleep!)– DO NOT DO IT FOR THEM– Communicate concerns about nature or approach to teachers

• Encourage ‘outside’ learning – offer varied experiences• Alert school to any situations that may impact learning• Be involved in school community• Acknowledge efforts and praise accomplishments – positive

reinforcement• Relate class learning to life

Top Tips for Parenting Early Teens

What Parents Can Do ……

LISTEN

Increase Negotiating

Create opportunities for healthy risk taking

Move from manager to consultant

Remain calmPersevere Conversations: short but often 90x1minute vs

1x90mins

Give benefit of the doubt

Set reasonable goals

Celebrate successes

Control the resources

Take an active interest in their passion

Share mealtimes

Be media literate

Humour Healthy bodies = healthy minds

Show affection

Help to organise them

Be inquisitive not interfering

Strengthen your support network

Try ‘Yes, if’ instead of ‘No, because’

Influences on Behaviour

Internal External

Brain Development Peers*

Social/Emotional Development

Society*

Temperament Family

* real and virtual world