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The Teenage Brain




Understanding Your Teenager

With Sara Cronin

As a mother of two teenage boys, I get the frustration a family can feel during this time of transition. It can be difficult to remember that teens are not children, but neither are they adults. It is a time of personal and social exploration and a time of hormonal ups and downs that can be confusing for everyone.  

The most important tip I can share with you about this time is about the teen’s pre-frontal cortex. This area of the brain is not yet developed during adolescence. What does the prefrontal cortex do? Some very important things:

  • Decision making

  • Impulse control

  • Planning and organization

  • Attention and focus

  • Problem-solving

  • Emotional regulation

  • Working memory

So when your teen seems apathetic, impulsive, rebellious, uncommunicative, emotionally unpredictable, irresponsible, distant, impulsive, or unable to see consequences, it’s because they are going through a difficult transition without a fully developed rational brain.  Remember, this is a period when a teen is experimenting, discovering who they are separate from their family, and creating an identity. They need your understanding, acceptance, and your caring guidance.  Their prefrontal cortex won’t be fully developed until they are 25 years old.  Until then, they need your rational brain to help them navigate this challenging time and keep them safe.

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