“The Primary Reason adolescence is so distressing is because youngsters do not fully understand what is happening to them. Many fears and anxieties could be obviated by a simple instructional program” (Hide or Seek Fleming H. Revell, 1974).

How many of you would like to be 13 again? I am sure that not many of us would answer, “Yes”, because we remember how stressful these years were for us. With this in mind, don’t keep you memories to yourself but be open about your teenage years, even though you may think times are different now, your teens could learn from your experiences.

In his book, Preparing for Adolescence, James Dobson says that parents should be like football coaches who have been teaching their kids from a very young age the fundamentals of the sport, getting them ready for the future contest. They drill and practise throughout the primary school years, rehearsing the correct spiritual attitudes and moral values. They also work hard on building their self-confidence until the moment of truth arrives. Then dad can say, “Don’t forget what we have been teaching you”, or “watch out for that tackle I told you about” and “You are doing a good job, we believe in you!” The parents have made their contribution and now the outcome depends on the child in the match. If you have a child of pre-adolescent age you should take advantage of the “coaching session” before the big game. Prepare your child for their teenage years in advance!