Head of Westonbirt School and mother of three, Natasha Dangerfield, talks teenage hopes and fears and helping young people on their emotional journey into adulthood
The teenage years can be hurtful for parents and potentially damaging to family relationships. However, parents should not be frightened, or worry it is an immediate sign of anxiety, if their child becomes less communicative and replaces conversation with grunts during their adolescent years.
There has been considerable research into the teenage brain, and psychologists and neuroscientists have discovered that disconnecting neuro pathways play a significant role in changing behaviours during these critical years.
Through their formative years children are hoping to fly to the moon, to become sports stars, world leading medics or actors. Once they reach thirteen or fourteen teens begin making choices about GCSEs, feeling the pressure of coursework and wondering what on earth is going on as their brains undergo significant change. As parents and as teachers, we have to sit alongside teens as they make this journey. It is their rite of passage and it is a difficult one when combined with hormones and social pressures. Fears are borne out of hope and it is natural for teens to be fearful as they realise that maybe we can?t make their childhood dreams come true.
At Westonbirt School, we work alongside students and parents, creating the right environment and opportunities for communication to begin. We think carefully...