12-14 Years Old Suggestion

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.
                • Have more ability for complex thought.
                • Be better able to express feelings through talking.
                • Develop a stronger sense of right and wrong.