Your Teenage Son
Diet:
- Offer 3 regular meals & healthy snacks. Eat meals as a family
if possible. Limit fast foods, junk foods and sweets.
- He should drink16-24 oz. of skim or low fat milk each day. Other
dairy products, like yogurt & 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, the average teen should sleep 8-10 hours each night, “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 your teen 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.
- Absolutely no drinking and driving or riding with a drinking
driver-discuss a plan to get home safely.
- 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 privacy and boundaries at home and away from home.
- 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!
Teen’s Acetaminophen Dose:
Every 4-6 hours & no more than 5 doses/day
72-95lb=3 tsp; 6 chewtabs; 1 325mg tab
96-150lb =2 325 mg tab or 1 500 mg tab
Teen’s Ibuprofen Dose:
Every 6-8 hours
72-95 lb. = 3 tsp; 6 chewtab; 1 200 mg cap
96-119lb = 4 tsp; 8 chewtab; 2 200 mg cap
121-50lb=6 tsp;12 chewtab; 3 200 mg cap
General Parental Guidance:
- Schedule dental visits every 6 months, have him brush at least
twice a day. Flossing should be done everyday.
- Limit the amount of TV, computer use- monitor their emails and
instant messages and track web sites visited if possible.
- Establish rules and curfews.
- Know his friends and their parents. A teen-friendly house will
encourage them to plan activities at home.
- Rules & 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.
At Today's & 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, 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"
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