she is 14!

1. What activities and experiences at age 12 and 14 years has your teen been involved in that might promote healthy behavioral practices, physical fitness and skill in sports?

Isabelle is really enjoying softball and is doing really well at it. I volunteer wherever I can and go to booster meetings. Isabelle is concerned to stay physically fit and keep in good health because she is a athlete. She makes sure not to do drugs or drink because she knows it will affect her performance.

2. Have there been any changes in your teen’s behavior toward you or your partner? Why are these occurring and how are you responding?

She can be moody but it is mostly over the usual stuff, she gets in a argument at school and comes home in a mood but that is usually solved with going for a walk with me and she will talk and get out her frustration. Or she will argue with us about chores or curfew but other than that we get along well. I try to compromise where I can in letting her go places with friends as long as it is supervised by parents and she is not drinking or alone with boys. I make sure I stick by the rules and make sure she is doing the same.

3. Do you see any examples of how cognitive and physical changes in early adolescence
(ages 12-14) relate to your teen's social or emotional behavior?

Isabelle has changed in body shape and is being teased for having a “flat chest”, She comes home upset because of it. So it does affect her emotional behavior. She also talks a lot in class and gets in trouble for passing notes. She seems to be a happy teen. But we have our times with her where she is moody and doesn’t want to listen to what I have to say.