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Parenting Tips: Does My Pre-Teen Need Much Supervision?

As your child grows, a question that will obviously come up for you is whether your child is going to need a lot of supervision during his or her pre-teen years.

This is the age when they are bouncing with energy and spirit and are most likely to act in a very spontaneous fashion. They do have a sense of responsibility and know the normal difference between right and wrong, and yet, sometimes, just the joy of living runs away with them. As a result, they may end up acting in, what we would term, irresponsible manner.

You want your pre-teen kid to grow up happy and safe? Then, yes - you do need to supervise them. Not in an overbearing, oppressive manner.....but you sure need to know what's going on with them at all times. Wherever they are, whatever they're doing, their health and safety is entirely your responsibility.

In a pre-teen's normal routine, their time away from home is usually supervised by a responsible adult. Their time at school has them being looked out for by teachers and other school staff. If they're attending camps or other extra-curricular activities, your pre-teen has someone watching over them. It's when they're out with friends, on their own, that they're most likely to get into trouble.

In spite of all that you have dinned into your pre-teen's head about the rules of responsible behavior, peer pressure or just sheer enthusiasm, can make them forget it all in a moment of spontaneity. Also, their sense of curiosity can lead them into many potentially dangerous situations. They can go where you've told them not to, they can try out stuff you've warned them against, the list is endless. They need you to be looking out for them.

Their need to touch and feel things is enormous and a serious detriment to your peace of mind. Obviously you want some sense of order in your life, and that's just when they go and start checking out your cupboards, your cosmetics or stuff like that.

A pre-teen is a free spirit and doesn't need his or her wings clipped. At the same time he or she does need to be safeguarded. So, whatever the age, you need to be aware of what they're involved with all the time. It doesn't matter what you are doing - working, socializing, at home or away, you have to know that there is someone watching over your kid.

Given below are some points you need to always adhere to.

In the end analysis, you alone are responsible for your child's wellbeing. Whether you are present, or someone else is standing in for you, you need to know what's going on. The buck stops with you.

If your child is having a party or just a few friends over, you need to be home, no excuses!

On those occasions when your pre-teen wants to go to a party elsewhere, or to spend time at a friend's place, you must know that the child will be safe there and that there will be a responsible adult supervising them. You must enforce this rule. It is very important to the continuing happiness of your child.

The most important rule for yourself is to have a relationship with your pre-teen where he/she is comfortable talking with you. That will be your biggest aid in supervising them. Make sure the communication lines are always open.

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