Help your teen get happier
A recent report shows that 18 per cent of Grade 6 boys ranked their life satisfaction as a 10 (on a scale of one to 10), but by Grade 10, only seven per cent rated life a 10.
The Health Canada report titled Young People in Canada: Their Health and Well-Being notes that by Grade 10, girls rated their satisfaction even lower: only four per cent of them gave it a 10, down from 15 per cent in Grade 6. Why aren't our teens happier? "When children are in Grade 6, they're usually the oldest in their school; they feel safe and competent. By Grade 10 they're in transition between being a child and an adult," says Dr. Mel Borins, a family physician in Toronto. He gives these tips to help your teen.
• Schedule regular activities together, such as playing sports or a movie night.
• Be in contact with his friends' parents to stay on top of what other kids his age are facing.
• Keep lines of communication open.
• Take vacations together so you can spend quality time with each other.
Why is she worried?
Stress is a given for teens. Howard Saslove, director of student counselling services at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, gives tips on dealing with teen stressors.
SCHOOL: Your teen may feel overwhelmed about her workload, making the grade or juggling school with a job and family responsibilities. Assess her schedule regularly to make sure she has enough time for homework.
RELATIONSHIPS: Relationships are high priority and come with first-time experiences and insecurities. Acknowledge your teen's anxieties, but give her space to deal with friendship dramas and romantic traumas.
FAMILY CONFLICTS: Watching and hearing parents fight can be stressful for a teen. Don't fight in front of her, don't force her to choose sides and don't turn her into your counsellor.
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