PROBLEMS OF PARENTS during young ones adolescent period

 PROBLEMS OF PARENTS

Parents, meanwhile, are suddenly now required to face the fact that the child is becoming an adult

 This means growing independence, possibly leaving home for school, job, or marriage. Particularly in small families, the loneliness they see ahead may overwhelm parents. It is often tempting to try to prevent the child from becoming really adult-from "grow- ing up too fast"-in the hope he will stay at home. It is no easy matter for anyone to face the fact that, with children becoming mature, middle age is here. Nor is it easy to pass the reins to another at just the right time and gracefully.

Parents, even the most mature and realistic, face problems at this period

 They know their help is needed; their children, however intelligent and well-balanced, still lack experience. Almost daily, parents hear or read about a tragic accident to a teen-ager, ruined health, a marriage of necessity, and cases of rape, homosexuality, and insanity. It is hardly a wonder that parents cannot sit back passively and let children court disaster. But if they exert undue authority, the result may only be rebellion.

 How much should they tell their children? Long ago, they told them the facts of life abnormal life and its reproduction. But now how much should they tell them about life's uglier aspects? These problems for parents are complicated because they occur along with many other problems, for other things are happening, too-perhaps an illness in the family, need for the father to change jobs, etc. There is not always all the time needed, as one parent has put it, "to give your calmest consideration to this teen- ager who has become a will-o'-the-wisp and slips through your fingers just when you want to do your best." 

Always, there will be problems and emotional stresses for both parents and children during this period. It is important not to exaggerate them, to give them the best thought and effort we can, and to realize that time and nature, which create the problems, also help to solve many of them.