Your Teenage Son
Diet:
·
Offer
3 regular meals and healthy snacks. Eat meals as a family if
possible. Limit fast foods, junk foods and sweets.
·
He
should drink 16-24 oz. of skim or low fat milk each day. Other dairy
products, like yogurt and cheese are important for calcium needs. If
milk is not consumed or “only with cereal” substitute calcium
fortified juice or ask about calcium supplementation.
·
Express any concerns about his weight or preoccupation with
weight/eating/food choices with your provider.
·
Multivitamins may be necessary if his diet is consistently
inadequate.
Sleep:
·
A
regular bedtime routine is very important. Between 15-18 years of
age, 8-10 hours each night is ideal. “Catching up” on sleep on the
weekends is not recommended.
Development:
·
Peer
relationships and acceptance are very important. He is handling a
great deal of peer pressure. Suggest and maybe practice some ways of
recognizing and resisting peer pressure.
·
 Abstract thought processes are forming and he may
challenge the family value system. Watch for him to begin to exert
his autonomy in words and actions.
·
As
his physical body is changing, expect intellectual and emotional
changes to occur as well. Provide an open forum for discussions
about emerging sexual/physical/emotional feelings for others.
Encourage abstinence and ask lots of direct questions.
·
Teens
are “egocentric overthinkers”- self centered but not necessarily
selfish- try to place yourself in his shoes- talk to him about
problems he may be experiencing and his tendency to “overanalyze”.
He may think he is invincible and that things “could never happen to
him!”
·
He is
having emerging feelings of independence from the family, increasing
peer identification, and possibly thinking about goals for the
future! In your discussions, ask direct simple questions rather than
broad open ended questions.
Safety:
·
Wear
a seatbelt at all times, as a driver or a passenger. Parents, as
always, should be a good role model.
·
Driving teens should be given ample time and opportunity for parent
supervised driving before going solo.
·
 If your teen has a permit, limit driving to daylight
hours until more experienced.
·
Convey to your teen- Absolutely no drinking and driving or riding
with a drinking driver-discuss a plan to get home safely.
·
Discuss alcohol and drug use- be frank and up front.
·
Wear
appropriate protective equipment (helmet, mouth guard, pads,
shatterproof eyewear) while engaging in risky sports.
·
Wear
a life jacket on a boat, nonswimmers should wear a life jacket at
all times. Never dive into unfamiliar water.
·
Use
PABA-free sunscreen with SPF >15. Avoid tanning salons.
·
Discuss avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, drugs (including inhalants),
and guns. Keep an open
line of communication and discuss their hazardous potential. Be a
good role model!
General Parental
Guidance:
·
Schedule dental visits every 6 months, have him brush at least twice
a day. Flossing should be done everyday.
·
 The computer should be in a prominent location in the
house to monitor your child’s internet activity. Teach him to never
give out identifying information-home address, school name, or
telephone numbers while chatting. Get to know the services and
websites that he uses. Get to know their “online friends” just as
you would all of their other friends. Find out what types of
information the site offers and whether there are ways to block
objectionable material. Encourage him to tell you if he encounters
messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening or make him feel
uncomfortable.
SHAPE \*
MERGEFORMAT
·
Establish rules and curfews.
·
Know
his friends and their parents. A teen-friendly house will encourage
them to plan activities at home.
·
Rules
and expectations should be discussed, clarified, and enforced. A
“safe ride home” contract should be signed- an agreement that he can
call at any time for a safe ride home regardless of the time and
place no questions asked.
·
Acne
is a common issue –give us a call.
·
Exercise is very important- it can be a family effort- get involved
and bond with him as you exercise together
·
Help
your teen learn about healthy lifestyles – hygiene, exercise and
good nutrition. Be a good role model.
·
He
feels invincible- so encourage his independence but also foster his
sense of self responsibility. Assign mutually agreed upon household
chores. Give a small allowance so he can learn to manage money. This
exchange will foster a mutually rewarding relationship with your
teen.
·
Think
about a prepaid calling card and/or cell phone for emergency use.
Teen’s
Acetaminophen Dose:
Every 4-6 hours and no more than 5 doses/day
72-95 lb=3 tsp; 6 chewtabs; 1 325 mg tab
 96-150
lb=2 325 mg tab or 1 500 mg tab
Teen’s Ibuprofen
Dose:
Every 6-8 hours
72-95 lb.= 3
tsp; 6 chewtabs; 1 200 mg cap
96-119 lb= 4
tsp; 8 chewtabs; 2 200 mg caps
121-50 lb=6 tsp;
12 chewtabs; 3 200 mg cap
At Today’s and Each
Yearly Checkup:
·
He will have a physical examination and have a chance to ask
confidential questions. Your questions and concerns will be
answered. A routine urinalysis will be done.
·
Depending on your family history, cholesterol levels or a complete
blood count may be ordered.
·
Your
teen may need a Meningitis vaccine, tetanus with pertussis vaccine,
and/or a TB (tuberculosis) test.
·
Please discuss any changes that have taken place in your household
recently with your provider.
·
Your
teen will be given instruction on how to perform a testicular self
examination.
Suggested
Reading:
Positive Discipline for Teenagers: Empowering Your
Teens
and Yourself Through Kind and Firm Parenting
Healthy Teens, Body and Soul
Caring for Your Teenager- The AAP’s guide
The Teen Health Book
Additional
Instructions: |
