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Ages 10-14: Behavior and Discipline

This is often when you’ll start to see evidence of what many parents call “teen rebellion.” The earlier any risk-taking begins, the more likely it will increase in difficulty and occur with other risky behaviors. Don’t avoid talking about topics such as smoking, drugs, and sexual activity. It’s normal, for example, to have sexual feelings, but talk with your teen about what limits of physicality and intimacy you hope he or she will respect and why. If teens feel valued for who they are, not what they wear, what they do, or who likes them, they are in a better position to resist risky behavior and take good care of themselves.