Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Making Way for Teens
It is important that we as parents show for being good role models for our kids. When it comes to living a healthy life, we as parents must stand up and take initiative if we expect our children to live a healthy life. We often forget that teens continue to look to us for advice and help. Instead, we assume that our kids know the facts about health issues involving nutrition, smoking, sex,etc. While some teens feel comfortable with talking to parents about issues such as these, others keep their ideas enclosed within themselves. This often leads to teens exploring new things and endorsing in deviant behaviors, which puts their lives at risk. Every child deserves to have at least one parent that they feel they can talk to about personal situations. Not only will this better relationships between children and parents, but it will also provide a "safe haven", for the child. When a child feels as though they cannot speak to parents about situations,they put themselves at risk and in liability. We as parents should question our children,and give prep talks so that when teens are put in situations, they will know how to react and be aware of the risk associated.
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I agree that children need to be able to talk to their parents. However, this is a hard thing to ensure because each culture is different and they may not know the importance of talking to their child about drugs, smoking, especially sex. Some of these issues are taboo. From personal experience my parents never spoke to me about the consequences about sex. I have always had an interest in health so I would choose health electives in high school and that is where I learned about these issues. I also heard a radio advertisement for Planned Parenthood and I went on their website and got information there. I know many children and teens do not think this way. There are so many things that need to be addressed so these teens will get the information they need to learn about these topics.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, teens (kids) need to hear information from their parents because their friends often give them misinformation. Parents need to start talking to their kids when they are young, so when they become teens, they are comfortable talking to them. My husband and I have always tried to keep the lines of communication open with our eldest child. (who is now 21) So when the teenage years came along it was easier. We told him that he could always talk to us and ask anything he wanted, because we would always tell him the truth. If we did not know the answer to something, we would take him to a doctor, counselor or someone who knew the answer because as with most kids, they feel their parents do not know anything. So from time to time he would ask us things, sometimes he would approach both of us, my husband or me, depending on the topic he wanted to discuss. So now, he stills asks us for advice. Parents need to not be so nervous when their kids want to talk to them. Even to this day, some of our oldest kids friends call us for advice. So even though our kid thought we were dumb and could not relate because we were never his age, when he sends his friends to us, that is our biggest compliment that we are doing something right.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that as a parents we need to share many important things with our soons because as they are growing up they have many questions of many importants things. Also, now your are getting experience with your baby, it is time to apply this issues with your little baby that way when he grow, he will be a great son thanks to her mother.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is very important for parents to be involved in their children’s lives and educate them on their well being. I believe that one of the many responsibilities of a parent is to talk to your children about issues concerning their health, especially during adolescent years. One issue I believe young women are not educated enough on is Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as Human Papillomavirus and its severe effects on the female organs. Sex Education is beneficial for adolescents and their protective health.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% but the reality is that most partents dont really talk to their kids about sex or nutrition. There really arent that many people who are open to talk about sex, and most moms work so they rarly cook anymore. This is defiantly an issue that needs to be fixed ASAP or we will only increase the number of unhealthy people.
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