Mountain Biking Accessories Bike Shop
Effectively Parenting Your Preteen Son
It was bound to happen and you aren’t surprised. Your baby boy is growing up and has now found himself in that fuzzy area of life where he is no longer a child, not quite a teen and still far from a man. His body is changing almost daily. And as a parent, you can get confused and sometimes frustrated with his moods and behavior. Take heart. While it may be challenging, this is an exciting time in the life of your son.
As he begins fifth or sixth grade your son will likely be given more responsibilities. He may take on a paper route or patrol duties at school. He could become more heavily involved in a sports team. All of these things will eat up his time and energies, so don’t be surprised if he begins to balk at some point. He may tell you that he just wants to be a kid again, free from responsibilities.
That’s an understandable reaction in this time of rapid change and you can help him through it with encouragement. Explain how proud you are of him and boost his confidence with positive words to help him deal with those feelings.
Preteen boys are prone to getting caught up in the world of gaming. The flashy and exciting games that are marketed to 10 year old kids can be hard to resist. Your son might want to spend enormous amounts of time at his gaming system or computer workstation desk. Screen time can become more than a hobby and limits may have to be set for their own good.
When growth happens so quickly, boys will need new clothing and accessories more often. They may also be developing more opinions on their wardrobe and not appreciate your input. Take them shopping with you and buy two sets of everything, one to fit now and a larger set to fit later. Whatever can be adjusted or worn large should be upgraded to men’s sizes, such as socks and coats. Let him pick from a selection of men’s watches and he’ll have a new tool for time management.
Along with the rapid growth your preteen son might be experiencing coordination issues. Encourage him to practice the sports he enjoys and his body changes shouldn’t hold him back. If your son isn’t the sporting type, how about taking on something together to increase physical activity and get those new muscles working? Swimming, cycling and lifting weights are all solitary things that can be done without the pressure of competition. It will be an adventure buying mountain bike gear or free weights and taking time to enjoy the hobby together.
Be patient and understanding as your preteen navigates this road between child and teen on the way to manhood. He needs encouragement, plenty of time with you and the reassurance that he is loved.
Greenacres Bike Shop Bicycle World
