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Parenting teenagers

Your teenager’s behaviour will be changing as their brain grows and develops. This might be alarming or upsetting, and you might feel rejected or quite worried about them…


What might help?

Take a look at our young people’s information pages about Common Issues if you’re worried about something in particular. It might be helpful to take a step back to learn what their brain is busy doing and think about sharing it with your teenager.

Tips and tricks

Be flexible and creative about how you communicate with your child as they grow older – any conversation is better than no conversation. Continue to let them know you are someone they can trust.

Take comfort from knowing that your teenager’s behaviour towards you isn’t personal, and that their ability to think rationally, make good judgements and feel empathy is lowered during adolescence.

Illustration of thought bubble with the text Loading inside

Most young people don’t find teenage years easy! Cast your mind back – did you?  Try to remind yourself though, that their brains are busy undergoing important changes and that they need to break away from the family to grown into an independent adult.

Illustration of button with text that says DO NOT PUSH

Get to know what pushes your buttons and what pushes theirs. Try to avoid these ‘push button’ situations or practise walking away when things get heated if you can.


Still worried and concerned?

Because our teenagers’ behaviour is changing so much and can be unusual it might be hard to know whether to be alarmed or concerned. And it can also be hard to know if and at what point you or your teenager might need extra support with behaviours that you find upsetting or troubling. Certainly, if their behaviour or what they are telling you is concerning over a prolonged period of time it could be time to talk this through with someone on a helpline or to seek some support for them (and you).

Find support for young people in Leeds  or browse the suggested links below.

Parenting Anxious Teenagers?

Have a look at 0ur MindMate information booklet ‘By Your Side’ to support parents of anxious teenagers.

Watch our short film Teresa’s Real Story

Read more

MindMate SPA

Leeds MindMate SPA (Single Point of Access) works with local services to find the right support for children and young people who have a Leeds GP. If your child is 5-17 years you can contact the SPA to ask for help.

Contact SPA

Mediation Service

Leeds Young People’s Mediation Service aims to improve the relationship between parent/ carers and their young person. Available to young people aged 10-18 and their families.

Mediation Service

Time for Young People

Time for Young People

Offers emotional and mental health support for under 18s including weekly wellbeing drop-in spaces across the city. Opened July 1st 2024.

Your questions answered here

Find out more

So your child is turning 18?

How do mental health services change when your child becomes an adult?

Mental health over 18

Parent experience; Hannah

Hear from another parent on what she finds tough about parenting her 14 year old … and things she finds helpful to remember.

Parent experience

The adolescent brain and what parents can do

Neurologist Judy Willis explains how the brain develops during adolescence and shares advice for parents on  reckless behaviour and risk-taking.

Video on the adolescent brain

Talking mental health with young people

A guide for parents and carers from Anna Freud Centre about talking to young people at secondary school about mental health.

Anna Freud Centre

Self harm advice

YouTube clip Dr. Pooky Knightsmith – what NOT to do if a child is self harming.

Go to clip

Coping with self-harm

Guide for parents and carers from the Charlie Waller Trust.

Charlie Waller Trust

Ch-ch-changes

An information leaflet for parents and carers whose child is moving on to secondary school, to help them to find ways to support their child during this time of change.

Ch-ch-changes pdf

Relate - on teens

Lots of practical advice on how to deal with common teen issues.

Relate on teens

YGAM Parent Hub

A wide range of online resources to increase parents’ knowledge and understanding of gaming and gambling.

Go to YGAM

Parent Zone

Essential tips and information about parenting in a digital world,  screen use and online safety.

Go to Parent Zone

You are not alone

Guide from Dept of Psychiatry for parents who are coping with their child’s self-harm.

Dept of Psychiatry

Facing shadows

A short animation from Anna Freud Centre describing what it is like to suffer from depression as a teenager.

Film from Anna Freud Centre

Reading well

Recommends books for 13 to 18 year olds with advice and information about issues like anxiety, body image and difficult experiences like bullying and exams.

Reading well

Forward Leeds

Alcohol and drug service in Leeds for adults, young people and families.

Forward Leeds

Mermaids

Mermaids is a national organisation which supports children and young people up to 19 years old with gender identity issues, and their families, and professionals involved in their care.

Mermaids