Ages and Stages

Elementary School

Getting to know  you and your child is vital to our success as pediatricians. We want to be your partner in helping you establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

During the elementary school ages from 5-12 years old,  many changes will oc­cur within the family. Your child is more independent, able to care more for themselves and capable of contributing to chores and other household responsibilities. Routines have been established and in many ways life seems more settled. However, your children  still need an abundance of parental supervision and guidance.

During the childhood years, parents have tasks that are espe­cially important. One is to encourage your child to en­ter the new world of school and establishing relationships outside of the home.  The second is learning to be parents while allowing your child some independence. We recognize there are options for school with many families choosing to homeschool. However most children continue to be educated in a traditional setting.   Once children enter school, parents spend less than half as much time with them as they did before. Parents need to be more efficient, more vigilant, and still very much involved in their children’s lives in or­der to monitor, guide, and support them effectively.

During the school years your child will develop self-confidence, overcome fears and self-doubts, test the limits of their autonomy, find role mod­els, and learn and internalize moral and spiritual values. You and the rest of the family should pay particular attention to the following areas, which will be­come increasingly significant during this time of life:

Teenagers

Your little one is not so little anymore.  That little bundle of joy has made it through the “terrible twos” and   all the childhood adventures. Times are changing. Your child is maturing and wants greater independence.

The teenage years can be a challenge for parents.  These years can bring forth frustration, disappointments, and detachment.  These years can  also bring delight, satisfaction,  and closeness.   Your teenager will make mistakes.  Accept that and continue to love them through it.  Encourage them to learn from their mistakes and move forward.

We often want to protect our teenagers from making the same mistakes that we made. That is a wonderful desire but it is not always possible.  Do not be afraid to allow them to suffer consequences for their actions.  You have taught them all these years right and wrong and have rewarded them when they made  good choices and provided discipline when they made poor choices.  Continue to do that.

Remind them often  what you expect of them as it pertains to responsibilities around the home, academic progress, social endeavors and the list could go on and on.  Be readily available and encourage discussions pertaining to sexuality issues,  alcohol, and drugs.

Even if times get rough, continue to remind them that you love them. Commend them often when you recognize or are made aware of good choices made. Be honest and let them know that you do not agree with some of the choices that they make. Refrain from  making excuses for their poor behavior and do not view poor choices as a right of passage and dismiss their behavior as “that is just what they do at this age.”  They should be growing up and maturing and their choices and actions should reflect that.

You are recognizing that they are maturing and the temptation can be that you want to be their friend.  Yes your relationship  can seem like a friendship but that must never interfere with your role as a parent.  Be committed not to blur the lines.  They must respect you in your parental role.  Enjoy their last years under your roof appreciating who they have become and looking forward expectantly to how they will contribute as  productive members in society.