When my twins were first born, I had an endless amount of questions about child rearing.
Why aren’t they sleeping through the night? Why is their poop changing colors? And the question I asked most often was, Why are they always crying?
Now that my twins are teens, in many ways I feel like a new mom again. Raising teens is such a perplexing and confusing experience. Their behaviors are often hard for me to figure out. Like, Why do they always feel the need to close the door? or Why do they want to spend every waking moment with their friends?
My initial reaction when I’m feeling bewildered (which is often) is to grab my phone and Google it. And then I wonder, how did my mother raise me without an Internet connection?
Fortunately, parents do have the ability to easily find answers to their questions which will hopefully make parenting a teenager a little less daunting. Here are the top eight questions most Googled by parents of teenagers, and some suggestions on how to support your kids through these issues.
The 8 Most Common Parenting Questions:
1. Why Do Teens Do Drugs?
During my time working with teens, I realized that there is a myriad of reasons why they choose to use drugs. It ranged from peer pressure to mental health issues (a form of self-medication). Here are some articles related to why some teens use drugs:
- Why Do Teenagers Use Drugs? LINK
- Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Drug Use in Teens: LINK
- Teen Risk Taking: What Should Parents Worry About? LINK
2. Why Do Teens Cut Themselves?
Cutting yourself is a form of self-injury. When I worked in the residential treatment center, often teens cut themselves as a way to deal with their depression or other negative emotions. If you notice your teen is cutting, it is important to seek the help of a mental health professional so your teen can learn more appropriate coping mechanisms for dealing with their emotions. Here are some related articles:
- How Can You Help a Teenager Who Injures Herself? LINK
- Dealing with Self-Injury: Understanding Risk and Helping Prevention: LINK
- I Was A Teenage Cutter. How I Stopped Cutting: LINK
3. Why Do Teens Drink?
Similar to using drugs, teens often drink alcohol because of peer pressure or as a form of self-medication. Alcohol is also more acceptable and accessible than illegal drugs. Some of the teens I worked with had parents who either used or abused alcohol, making it easy for them to obtain it. Here some related articles:
- Why Do Teenagers Drink Alcohol? LINK
- Realistic Ways to Talk About Alcohol: LINK
- Officer Pat Shares Facts About Teenage Drug and Alcohol Use: LINK
4. Why Do Teens Smoke?
Despite laws regulating smoking in select public areas and the increased price of cigarettes, teens still smoke cigarettes. In over fifty percent of the United States, the law regarding the age to purchase tobacco is 18 which makes it more accessible than alcohol. The most common reason teens begin smoking is that their friends or parents smoke. Once they start, smoking is highly addictive. Here some related articles:
- Dip, Cigarettes, Hookahs, and More: LINK
- Is Teen Smoking Still Popular? LINK
- Warning Signs of Trouble: LINK
5. Why Do Teens Vape?
Vaping is smoking using an e-cigarette. Even though the user does not inhale tobacco, they are still inhaling a vapor containing nicotine. Currently, there are no state laws requiring proof of age to purchase e-cigarettes which means it is easily attainable for teens. Since e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco, teens believe it is a healthier option than cigarettes. Here some related articles:
6. Why Do Teens Need More Sleep?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that teens sleep for 8-10 hours per night. Sleep is necessary to aid in physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. But busy schedules that include sports, homework, and spending time with friends often mean a later bedtime combined with an early start time (my kids are on the bus at 6:40 am). The end result is not getting enough sleep. Here some related articles:
- Teens Need More Sleep Than They’re Getting: LINK
- Practical Sleep Advice for Parents: LINK
- Help Your Teen Get A Better Night’s Sleep: LINK
7. Why Do Teens Get Acne?
The exact cause of acne is unknown but hormones, stress, and genetics do contribute to developing it. Since teens experience an increase in hormones, this may be why they develop acne more than adults do. The best treatment for acne is using facial cleanser and if necessary seeing a dermatologist. Here some related articles:
- There’s No Need to Suffer Through Life with Pimples: LINK
- Acne, Skincare, and Sunscreen: LINK
- Acne Myths From Pediatric Dermatologists: LINK
8. Why Do Teens Die By Suicide?
Suicide is a complex issue. Teens may die by suicide because they feel hopelessness or pain due to depression. There are some incidents when teens felt bullied or experienced abuse that led to suicide. If you think your teen is having suicidal thoughts, contact a mental health professional or The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Here are some related articles:
