At around 14 years old, your daughter goes through a rollercoaster of change. Shouldering more responsibility, managing a self-image and riding hormone shifts can be a lot for young women. Some common struggles and attitudes include:
- oily skin and/or acne
- problems connecting actions with future consequences
- aspiring to be independent and fit in with peers
- focus on personal appearance and behavior
- wanting to engage in risky behaviors
How do parents handle it? You can head to Instagram and find memes to relate to, blogs to save and books to read. We’ve got something else you can try.
In honor of International Women’s Day and sponsored by WellWithin, Nurse Practitioner Julia Hall from CareATC will help you understand the health needs of your teenage daughter. Add this event to your calendar now! March 27 at 11:00 a.m. EST Virtual Webinar.
Here are some basics:*
Mental Health. Signs of mental health problems in children and teens include:
- Poor grades
- Sadness that lasts two or more weeks
- Trouble sleeping or eating
- Problems at school
- Changes in being social or staying away from others/loss of interest in activities
- Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself
- Having outbursts, irritability, or being very moody or testy
- Talking about death or suicide
If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with a mental healthcare provider. GE Appliances has lots of benefit choices in this area.Â
Eating. Teens should begin making healthy food choices on their own; five servings of fruits and vegetables and three servings of low-fat dairy products (or fortified soy milk) daily. Calcium and vitamin D are important for bone growth during growth spurts. Need help? If you are at AP or Roper, reach out to our onsite nutrition counselor for support; Brittany Woodbury.
Sleeping. Teens need about 8–10 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep is common and can hurt grades and athletic performance. Encourage your daughter to follow a relaxing bedtime routine and keep TVs and electronic devices out of the bedroom.
Physical activity. Aim for 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
Look for ways to empower your teenage daughter:
- Encourage your teen to take part in a variety of activities, such as music, arts, sports, after-school clubs, and other areas of interest.
- Praise accomplishments and good choices while providing support in areas where your teen struggles.
Connect with her:
- Spend time with your teen every day. Share mealtimes, be active together, and talk about things that are important to your teen.
- Set rules and explain your expectations. Have fair consequences for rule-breaking.
- Prepare to answer questions about puberty and the feelings associated with those changes.
- Be open to questions about gender identity and sexuality. Ask your teen to come to you with questions.
Keep her safe
- Know who your teen spends time with and make sure that an adult checks on them.
- Talk about the dangers of smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drugs. As part of the GE Appliances health plan, you can enroll your teen in Pelago, a digital addiction treatment.
- Chat about online safety, cyberbullying, sharing your location on Snapchat, and smart social media use.
- Encourage your teen to wait to engage in sexual activity with others. Explain the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy.
And don’t forget, parents role model good and bad examples of prioritizing their health. Since it is Women’s History Month, consider the legacy you’re leaving your daughter as you prioritize your own health.
*This is for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis.