Teen Talk: Becoming a Teenager

 

I recently turned 13!  Becoming a teenager is a big change. Feelings and emotions start to change which lead to a change in actions good and bad. Becoming a teenager is also bigger step in your brain development and learning process. Just coming into teenage years I’m still not sure of what are the realities will be versus my expectations.

 

But what I do know is most the time it’s not like what you see on TV. With feelings changing you might become more emotional or angry at times. Sports and other hobbies are a good way to channel those feelings. 

 

Another major part of becoming a teenager and growing up is you will have more responsibility. Maybe watching siblings or feeding and cleaning up after animals or helping to keep the house clean, your parents will expect a little more from you. This can get frustrating at times. Especially when you just want to hang out and have fun with your friends. 

 

You will always need good relationships with your friends but you will need a better relationship with your parents. Your friends will change and move and may not always be there, but your parents are a friend you can always call on. 

 

It’s also important that you respect your parents in order to hang out with your friends. Sometimes you will feel like you need to hang out with your friends more because you are older and more mature but at the same time you need to listen to your parents if they say no. Your parents work hard so that you can succeed at whatever you do so while it may be hard at times,  it’s ideal that you listen. 

 

I recently had a situation where I wanted to play a game that my parents asked me not to. I didn’t understand what the big deal was. It was a simple game a few of my friends were playing. So I played the game again and when my parents found out they were furious.

 

It was then that they explained to me that not everything that looks fun is innocent. It’s their job to look after me while playing online on my iPod or laptop and games. There are many predators on the internet that pretend to be children to gain your trust and make you do things you shouldn’t. It was then that I learned that while listening to my parents isn’t always the coolest thing to do, most times but it’s the safest and best for all involved.

 

So as you get older and you have changes in your life and want to have fun just remember to be careful and respectful.  Most of all be careful what you share on social media, it may come back to haunt you. 

 

This was printed in the May 15, 2016 – May 28, 2016 edition.