Helping Teens Embrace Self-Care

Helping your teen

You can help your teens move toward independence in making healthcare decisions by being a good role model:

• Take all prescription and over-the-counter medicines as directed

• Follow your healthcare provider's instructions

• Eat healthy food

• Exercise regularly

In addition, don't smoke, abuse alcohol, or take illegal drugs. Your teen will take away a powerful message that these activities harm health and well-being.

Encourage your teen to think independently and express their own thoughts. This will give your teen a healthy sense of self. It will make them better able to resist peer pressure. Make sure your teen has all the information they need to make informed, responsible decisions about reproductive health. This includes the meaning of safe sex.

Work with your teen's healthcare provider to help your teen make age-appropriate decisions about treatment.

The teen years are a good time to help create an independent relationship between your children and their providers. Parents can make sure their teen has time at each appointment to talk with their provider alone. This will prepare them for relating to healthcare providers independently as adults.

Chronic conditions

Your teen may have an ongoing (chronic) illness, such as diabetes or asthma. If so, help them learn as much as possible about managing the condition and treatment choices.

Knowledge is empowering. It can help your teen feel more in control. It's vital for parents to help their children accept appropriate responsibility for caring for themselves. Letting them master day-to-day self-care can give them self-confidence. This can help them get ready for adult life.