Five Things Parents, High Schoolers Will Argue About

By Lynette Holloway

Global warming.

That is one definition of a teenager’s emotionally turbulent high school years. They’re heated, you don’t know what’s going to happen, and it’s all kind of scary.

A parent’s role is, well, to keep the teen from self-destructing while avoiding meltdown yourself. It’s not easy, but here are some issues most likely to touch off a firestorm between parents and teens entering high school, and some tips on how to defuse them.

Academics

High school can come as a shock to most freshmen, whether they excel academically or not. Some bow to peer pressure and fall into to the trap of believing that academic achievement is uncool. Some buckle under the stress of a new environment with larger classrooms, more homework and too many extracurricular activities.

But parents, please listen: Arguing does not help.

Get them through this transitional period by helping them set reasonable goals and teaching them how to stick with them. Find a tutor if they’re struggling, and look for extra study material. Are they socializing too much? Limit the time they hang out with friends during the week. At home, set up a special study area where they can work undistracted. For more tips, go to By Parents For Parents, an online resource for parents of teens.

Sex and Drugs

Arming your teen with information is one way to help them cope with sex, drugs and alcohol. While raising a teetotaler might be a bit of a pipedream, you might want to teach them about responsible drinking and how not to give in to peer pressure. Rehearsing ways to say no to drugs and explaining that they have had enough to drink can come in handy in difficult situations.

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