Great parenting involves a large investment of time, energy, and resources. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, starting early is the best way for parents to prepare for their child’s adolescence. Transitional periods such as school age, adolescence, and young adulthood, are challenging times for both parents and children. Parents can prepare for these transitions by creating an age appropriate culture of open communication, stable, safe, and loving home environment. Other parenting points include teaching basic responsibility for household chores, importance of accepting limits, and thinking before acting.

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The parent-child relationship develops during pregnancy and continues throughout infancy, childhood, and teenage years.

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A very stressed parent-child relationship during the preadolescent years may be a strong indicator that professional help is needed. An investment of time, energy, and resources in the child’s early years can prevent minor problems of childhood from worsening into more severe conditions in adolescence and young adulthood.