Parenting early teens, ages 12 to 14, comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As kids begin to assert their independence and form their own identities, they still rely on their parents for stability, support, and guidance—even if they don’t always show it.
Effective parenting during this time means finding the balance between setting limits and giving space, listening more than lecturing, and continuing to be a steady, trusted presence as your child steps into adolescence.
Developmental milestones
This is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. Hormones change as puberty begins. Most boys grow facial and pubic hair and their voices deepen. Most girls grow pubic hair and breasts, and start their period. They might be worried about these changes and how they are looked at by others. This also will be a time when your teen might face peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs, and to have sex. Other challenges can be eating disorders, depression, and family problems. At this age, teens make more of their own choices about friends, sports, studying, and school. They become more independent, with their own personality and interests, although parents are still very important.
Here is some information on how young teens develop.
Emotional/social changes
Children in this age group might:
- Show more concern about body image, looks, and clothes.
- Focus on themselves; going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.
- Experience more moodiness.
- Show more interest in and influence by peer group.
- Express less affection toward parents; sometimes might seem rude or short-tempered.
- Feel stress from more challenging school work.
- Develop eating problems.
- Feel a lot of sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.
Thinking and learning
Children in this age group might:
- Have more ability for complex thought.
- Be better able to express feelings through talking.
- Develop a stronger sense of right and wrong.
Positive parenting tips
Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your child during this time:
- Be honest and direct with your teen when talking about sensitive subjects such as drugs, drinking, smoking, and sex.
- Meet and get to know your teen’s friends.
- Show an interest in your teen’s school life.
- Help your teen make healthy choices while encouraging them to make their own decisions.
- Respect your teen’s opinions and take into account their thoughts and feelings. It is important that they know you are listening to them.
- When there is a conflict, be clear about goals and expectations (like getting good grades, keeping things clean, and showing respect), but allow your teen input on how to reach those goals (like when and how to study or clean).
Respect your teen’s opinions and take into account their thoughts and feelings. It is important that they know you are listening to them.
Child safety first
You play an important role in keeping your child safe―no matter how old they are. Here are a few tips to help protect your child:
- Make sure your teen knows about the importance of wearing seatbelts. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 12- to 14-year-olds.
- Encourage your teen to wear a helmet when riding a bike or a skateboard or using inline skates; riding on a motorcycle, snowmobile, or all-terrain vehicle; or playing contact sports. Injuries from sports and other activities are common.
- Talk with your teen about the dangers of drugs, drinking, smoking, and risky sexual activity. Ask them what they know and think about these issues, and share your thoughts and feelings with them. Listen to what they say and answer their questions honestly and directly.
- Talk with your teen about the importance of having friends who are interested in positive activities. Encourage them to avoid peers who pressure them to make unhealthy choices.
- Know where your teen is and whether an adult is present. Make plans with them for when they will call you, where you can find them, and what time you expect them home.
- Set clear rules for your teen when they are home alone. Talk about such issues as having friends at the house, handling situations that can be dangerous (emergencies, fire, drugs, sex, etc.), and completing homework or household tasks.
Healthy bodies
Here are a few tips to help keep your growing child healthy:
- Encourage your teen to be physically active. They might join a team sport or take up an individual sport.
- Helping with household tasks such as mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or washing the car also will keep your teen active.
- Meal time is very important for families. Eating together helps teens make better choices about the foods they eat, promotes healthy weight, and gives your family members time to talk with each other.
- Keep television sets out of your teen’s bedroom. Set limits for screen time, including cell phones, computers, video games, and other devices, and develop a family media plan.
- Make sure your child gets the recommended amount of sleep each night: For teenagers 13–18 years of age, 8–10 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
We live every day in relationship with others. Sometimes those relationships are healthy and have a positive impact on our well-being, and sometimes they do not. Check out our pocast as we unpack the essentials of building connections rooted in respect, empathy, and mutual support.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Positive Parenting Tips: Young Teens (12–14 years old), https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/young-teens-12-14-years.html | Public domain. Published May 2024. Retrieved May 2025.
