Newark, NJ -- Adolescence is a time of rapid
physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Talking with
your child about the physical and emotional changes that happen
during puberty can help to alleviate the stress that can accompany
this move into adolescence.
For girls, puberty begins at 10 or 11 years of age and ends around
age 16. Boys enter puberty later than girls—usually around
12 years of age—and it lasts until age 16 or 17, according
to the American Medical Association (AMA). Girls and boys usually
begin puberty around the same time their mothers and fathers did.
“Knowing what kinds of changes to expect can help to decrease
the ‘growing pains’ for both parents and youth,” says
Wendy Neal, MD, MPHTM, Pediatric Program Director and Director
of Adolescent Medicine and the Adolescent Clinic at Children's
Hospital of New Jersey (CHNJ) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
The
Adolescent Clinic at CHNJ and the AMA offer the following tips
for parents to help their child put his or her best foot forward
into puberty:
- Preteens and teens are sometimes embarrassed by their changing
bodies and concerned that they are not developing at the same
rate as their friends. Reassure your child that people develop
at their own pace and that the changes are normal.
- Do not tease your child about pubertal changes.
- Explain the importance of good personal hygiene. Active sweat
glands call for regular bathing and deodorant. For healthy teeth,
everyone should brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
and floss daily.
- Set reasonable and appropriate limits. Preteens and teens want
guidance.
- When differences arise, listen to your child and try to understand
his or her point of view.
- Choose your battles! Hold your ground on important issues such
as grades and drugs, and let go of smaller issues such as hairstyles
and clothes. If it won’t matter a year from now, is it
worth arguing over?
- Allow your preteen or teen to make more decisions as he or
she proves the ability to use good judgment.
- If your child is acting out, talk with him or her to get to
the heart of the problem. Get counseling for your child or the
whole family if you believe it could help.
- Talk with other parents about your concerns and their parenting
experiences.
The Adolescent Clinic at CHNJ
The Pediatric Health Center at CHNJ at has a full time Adolescent
Clinic for teens ages 11-21 years. The Adolescent Clinic provides:
· Primary care
and consultative services for general adolescent health issues.
· Comprehensive
physicals are offered for school, camp and sports.
· Confidential
reproductive health care is available for gynecological exams,
treatment of menstrual disorders, contraception management, and
STI diagnosis and treatment.
· Social work
and nutrition services are available on site.
· Most insurance
plans are accepted.
Call
for appointments, call (973) 926-7300 or (973) 926-7282.
About CHNJ
Children's Hospital of New Jersey, located at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center and part of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System,
is the state's premier hospital caring for children, with specialized
services to treat ill and injured children from newborn to adolescent
years as well as preventive programs that promote wellness in the
community. For a referral to a pediatrician or pediatric specialist,
please call 1-888-724-7123. Follow us on Twitter: get real time
news from the Saint Barnabas Health Care System at www.twitter.com/barnabas_health.
Date: July 28, 2009
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926
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