Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age

Whether your child is an infant, a preteen, or a full-fledged adult, you may find yourself struggling and appreciate some parenting strategies. Here are just a few examples of challenges that parents commonly face as their children grow up:

• Infants (0 to 1) – Infancy is typically the most physically demanding stage for parents. It can be difficult to keep up with caring for your baby, while also trying to maintain your lifestyle, especially if you are experiencing sleep disruption or deprivation.
• Toddlers (1 to 3) – Once children enter the toddler stage, their behaviour will continue to change, and challenges such as refusing certain foods and tantrums may emerge.
• Preschool- and school-aged children (3 to 9) – This age range covers many developmental stages and significant transitions, including starting school. Some children may struggle with separation, difficulty sustaining attention, or forming relationships with their peers. 
• Preteens (9 to 13) – As children enter the “tween” stage, they often begin craving independence, choosing to hang out with their friends rather than their families. They also start to care more about what others think of them, which can lead to issues with self-confidence and anxiety. Many children also enter puberty during this developmental stage.
• Teenagers (13 to 18) – As children continue to develop, their independence increases, their social networks develop, and there are new challenges that can arise. These could be related to engagement with school, peers, social media, sleep, substance use, etc. Tension can often develop between teens and their parents as they begin to develop their own preferences and beliefs about themselves, other people and the world.
• College-aged children (18 to 22) – While this can be an exciting time for both parents and children, challenges related to different perceptions of readiness for adult responsibility can negatively impact interactions between children and their parents. For children who opt to move away from their family of origin, this may be the first time that they’ve spent a significant amount of time away from their parents. Children may be homesick or overwhelmed by having the burden of activities of daily living (ie, cooking, cleaning, laundry), in addition to their usual activities, while parents might be worried about their child’s well-being or grieving the loss of the family unit.
• Adults (22+) – As children enter the workforce, get married, and move away, parents may disagree with their decisions or start questioning how they fit into their child’s new life.

Get Some Helpful Parenting Tips

If you’re having a difficult time managing your child’s behaviour, you may benefit from speaking to a psychologist who can help you to identify your concerns and develop skills and strategies to address the situations you find challenging. Contact us today to request an appointment.