Parenting Teens

You know it. They know it. Teenage years are growth years and ones of great change. Not only are their bodies growing but also their brains - which continue to develop until their early to mid 20s. Teens need food, sleep, and exercise and lots of love and support – the same as for a child, but in different ways. Most things about their world are changing. Don't let your love be one of them. You might like to start with Parenting teens: Introduction.

Father and teenage daughter looking and laughing at something on a mobile phone

Copyright: asife / 123RF Stock Photo

Parenting Teens - Introduction

Teenage years are growth years and ones of great change. Most things about your teenager's world are changing. Don't let your love be one of them. 

Parenting Teens - The Teenage Brain

New research has found that teenagers are so different because their brains are undergoing a BIG change, which starts around puberty and continues through to their mid-20s.

Adolescent Brain Development

The brain develops very rapidly in the first 3 to 5 years of life, and all the structures and building blocks are present by the age of 9. Find out when the different centres of the brain develop.

Parenting Support For Your Child's Emotions & Behaviour

The emotional wellbeing of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) is better when whānau can get the right support. Kiwi families have access to parenting support to improve emotional wellbeing for our tamariki.

Parenting Teens - Sleep Needs In Teenagers

Teenagers need an average of 9 hours of sleep each night.

Parenting Teens - Spending Quality Time Together

To be a more effective parent and enjoy a closer whānau (family) relationship, you need to spend quality whānau time together.

Parenting Teens - Boundaries

While the teenage years can at times be stormy and emotional, your kids need to know that you will always be there and what you expect from them.

Parenting Teens - Relationships With Your Teenager

The best parenting skill you can have is to simply act like one! In order for your kids to respect you, you must give them a person worth respecting.

Parenting Teens - Being A Good Role Model

Be the kind of person you want your teenager to grow up to be.

Parenting Teens - Know What Your Young People Are Up To

Kids whose parents know who their friends are, where they are – and what they are up to - are less likely to get into trouble.

Parenting Teens - Communication

Kids that feel close to one or more parents tend to do better in life. Listen to your teenager – when they are ready to talk. Be open and tell the truth.

Parenting Teens - Alcohol Facts

Alcohol is our most common recreational drug. Not drinking is the safest option for young people under 18 years of age.

Parenting Teens - Alcohol Guidelines

Alcohol is our most common recreational drug. Not drinking is the safest option for young people under 18 years of age.

Parenting Teens - Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

If your teenager is experiencing bullying, anxiety or depression, there are some things you can do to support them. It is important to get help if you are concerned about your teen's emotional and mental wellbeing. 

Parenting Teens - Alcohol & Young People

Alcohol is our most common recreational drug. Those under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking, and not drinking in this age group is especially important. 

Parenting Teens - When Should I Talk To My Child About Drugs?

Look for opportunities to talk about drugs with your teenager. Talk with your teens about ways they can so no to alcohol or other drugs, without them losing face with their friends. Be informed about drugs.

Parenting Teens - Parties

Parties are part of the fun in growing up and a good way for young people to be able to mix with others. Plans and boundaries help to keep your teenager safer.

Parenting Teens - When Things Go Wrong

Even with the best parents in the world, young people can still get into trouble. Most teenagers will experiment with alcohol and getting it wrong is not uncommon. 

Self-Harm

There are many reasons why people engage in self-harm. The most important thing to do is to listen. It is very important to encourage talking as that is a much better way to help the intensity of emotions than to engage in self-harm.

Supporting Rainbow Children & Young People

A listing of organisations, resources and supports available for parents and whānau (family) of rainbow tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people).

Gender Diversity In Children & Young People

All tamariki (children) explore different ways of expressing their gender. For some tamariki, gender can be fluid. Be open to wherever your child's gender journey leads. Find out how to support your gender diverse younger child or teen, and where to get your own support. Check the resources for takatāpui and whānau, and Pasifika young people.

How To Talk To & Support Your Teenager Around Pornography

The online world is changing rapidly, and chances are most teenagers will see, or have seen, pornography (porn) either on porn sites or across mainstream social media platforms. Talking about porn can feel awkward at first, but young people tell us that they want, and need, better porn conversations and support from adults.

How To Talk To & Support Your Child Or Pre-Teen Around Pornography

Many children come across porn and online sexual images now, whether it’s by accident, a friend has shown them, or because they’re curious. Sexual content is now featured across many mainstream social media platforms and often easier to find than avoid. Over a quarter of children have seen porn by age 12. Having simple and age-appropriate conversations around porn and online sexual content with children is a great way to help protect and prepare them to navigate their online world.

How To Talk To Your Child About Sex

Talking with your child about sex can be difficult but it's important. If you want to be involved in shaping your child's ideas and attitudes about sex, start these conversations early.

Vaping & Young People

Vaping rates in rangatahi (young people) continue to increase in Aotearoa. Vaping is harmful to tamariki (children) and rangatahi - it can have an impact on their health and wellbeing. 

KidsHealth QR Code Poster - Parenting Teens

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on parenting teens, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth section on parenting teens. 

KidsHealth QR Code Poster - Teens & Alcohol

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's teens and alcohol content, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth teens and alcohol content. 

Adolescent Brain

Adolescent Brain Development