Sixteen-year-olds can bring both joy and frustration to parents. There are many reasons to be incredibly proud of how your son or daughter is growing and achieving goals, but there are bound to be a few struggles along the way.
There may be academic challenges, risky behavior, or outright rudeness, and it's not easy to deal with them. However, you may also enjoy seeing your teen star in a musical, go to a championship game with a sports team, or get your driver's license. It's all about balancing and remembering both the challenges and the joys of parenting a teen.
physical development
Gender differences are never as pronounced as they always are around age 16. Girls begin to slow down in physical development, while boys sometimes begin to.
If you have a son, expect physical changes, such as rapid growth spurt, to continue. However, you may see your teen—of both sexes—sleeping more and eating more to keep up with their growth.
Main landmarks
- The need for sleep increases and times change, given the teen's biological wiring to stay up late and wake up later.
- Boys continue to grow and mature physically, and facial hair spreads.
Parenting Advice
Your child's future is right around the corner, whether it's college, trade school, a job, or something else. Talk about expectations, risks, and opportunities without shying away from difficult topics like drugs, alcohol, and sex education. Make your stance on issues known by saying things like, "I expect you to call me to let me know if there's trouble at the party."
Emotional development
A 16-year-old knows that adulthood is just around the corner, and will begin to make decisions with that in mind—but they may not always feel like the right decisions for their parents.
If your child makes decisions that concern you, talk to your teen. Pay attention to changes in behavior, especially if your teen seems sad or depressed, and reach out for professional help if needed.
Main landmarks
- Concern about physical growth and appearance
- Shows more independence but also engages in less conflict with parents.
- going through periods of sadness
Parenting Advice
A 16-year-old is quick to tell parents they don't need them, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Continue to strengthen your relationship with your teen by showing interest in their life and praising their accomplishments. Allow your teen to fail occasionally, but make sure they have the skills they need to handle the discomfort that comes with failure.
Social development
Sixteen-year-olds are immersed in a social world that includes friendships and relationships. They spend less time with their families and more time with their friends or interests, or they may prefer to spend more time alone than usual.
Teenagers often have strong desires and may become sexually active. At the same time, they may begin to understand more about sexual orientation and become aware of their preferences.
Main landmarks
- Enter into a deeper platonic or romantic relationship
- Shows signs of confidence and increased resistance to peer pressure
- become aware of sexual orientation
Parenting Advice
Talk to your teen about the pressures of pornography, and that they don't need sex. Preventing a romantic relationship or burying your head in the sand because of your child's sexual development can backfire. Instead, make your expectations clear and talk openly about issues of desire and a relationship under the banner of marriage.
Cognitive development
Your child is no longer simply thinking about his or her life. In the mid-teens, teens begin to consider how the world works and how their lives fit into it. They master abstract thinking—considering what is and what could be—as well as improving their reasoning skills.
Speech and language
By the age of sixteen, most children are able to communicate like adults. In school, they can understand both concrete and abstract ideas, understand punctuation and grammar perfectly, and write and read complex sentences.
game
Teenagers are often scheduled, which isn't necessarily good for their development. They need free time to pursue interests, whether arts, sports, or other activities, as well as time to rest and relax without expectations. During this time, they may prefer to unwind by watching television, reading books, or playing video games.
Main landmarks
- Changes language and behaviors between school, home, and other settings
- Displays specific work habits
- Can explain the rationale behind their ideas or decisions.
Parenting Advice
Help your child plan for life after high school. There's no single "best" path for a teen, but your 16-year-old may need help exploring all the options, including understanding the complexities of both going to college and not going to college and how it will impact their future.
Other landmarks
Most teens start driving at age 16. But driving responsibilities mean more risk. Make sure your teen is mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving before handing over the keys.
Accidents are a leading cause of death for teens, so make sure your teen knows how to be safe on the road, whether they're driving or riding as a passenger.
When to be worried
At this age, there may be two reasons for concern. First, you may be concerned that your child is not succeeding academically. This may manifest through a lack of organization, a lack of confidence in learning, or if they seem disengaged from the learning process.
The first step is to discuss your concerns with your teen's teachers, who may be able to offer different perspectives and provide resources.
Second, this is an age when parents often see warning signs of mental health issues or substance abuse problems. If this is the case, contact a mental health professional or doctor immediately before the problem has a chance to develop further.
last word
While some 16-year-olds need a few reminders to do chores, complete their homework, or save their money, others struggle to get themselves out of bed on time.
If your teen still needs a lot of help with work, it's important to remember that you only have a few short years until school is over. Offer support and guidance, but don't overdo it for your child. It's important that they learn valuable life skills while they're still living under your watchful eye.
