Raising a Happy, Healthy Tween

Tweens -- a newer word in our language defined as, “Youngsters between the ages of 8 and 12.” These kiddos aren’t quite children anymore but they’re not teens, either. They’re at a time in life where a strong self-image develops and intense emotional, social, and physical changes occur. Parents can implement a few of these strategies into their families to grow kids into happy, healthy tweens who are ready to smoothly advance into the teen and adult years.

Provide 8-10 Hours of Sleep Every Night. Tweens grow rapidly, and a good night’s sleep is vital to a healthy body. The tweens’ tendency may be to stay up late, but make it a priority to provide a bed room environment that will encourage good sleeping habits. Start by removing all electronics from the room at night and stick to a regular bedtime. Bedrooms should also be comfortable and quiet.

Drink Mostly Water and Milk. Soda, diet soda, sports drinks, and even juice can be full of sugar and empty calories. Promote water and milk as the primary beverages, and save the others for special occasions. Tweens need to focus on nutrition, and these drinks do not support a healthy body.

Keep ‘Em Active. Tweens spend a large part of their day sitting at school, so keep them moving as much as possible. One hour of exercise every day is suggested, but even light activity is better than being sedentary. Playing outside, doing yard work or household chores, and playing with pets are all ways to keep kids off the couch and on their feet.

 Watch Only PG or G Rated Movies. Tweens may feel the pressure to watch PG-13 or R rated movies if their friends are, but the content of these films is not appropriate for impressionable tweens. Tweens are more likely to conform than teenagers are, and these films give a view of life that is not realistic for kids this age.

Play Only “E” Rated Video Games. Tweens’ amount of time with video games should definitely be limited in favor of physical activity, but if they must play video games, the “E” for Everyone rating is appropriate for this age level. As with movies, the higher rated games provide a snapshot of behavior and violence that’s not geared for kids in the tween years.

 Limit the Use of Social Media and Texting. Tweens’ ability to make wise choices regarding the content of their texting and social media activity is limited. They do not possess the maturity to manage themselves on these sites. Do not allow social media and texting until the teen years. Even then, parents should have full access to their kids’ activities in this area.

Monitor all Internet Activity. While the Internet can be a useful tool for tweens, it can also be a dangerous place. Studies show that every year 1 out of 5 children ages 10-17 are sexually solicited on the Internet. In that same year, 1 out of every 33 kids are aggressively solicited for money, gifts, or to arrange a meeting. 25 percent of kids will be exposed to sexually explicit material online. In short, parents need to monitor and filter the content their tweens are accessing on the Internet and train their kids in Internet safety.

Encourage Appropriate Dress. It’s a good lesson for all tweens when parents instruct them on modest dress. It can be a challenge, for sure, when styles for tweens appear to be the same ones marketed towards teens and adults. However, in an age span when kids begin to develop a self-image, parents should teach their kids how to showcase their inner qualities more than their outer appearances.  During the tween years parents can also teach their kids about dressing appropriately for different occasions and dressing for success. These lessons translate well into adulthood when most adults find themselves with clothing requirements for work.

No Time for Romance! It may be cute when tweens want to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but the tween years have no place for such behavior. This puts an unnecessary focus on romantic relationships, and these types of relationships have nowhere to go. Kids at this age should focus on being friends, not on who they’re “going out with.” Again, kids in the tween years are developing that sense of self-worth, and introducing romantic ideals into that concept only confuses them.

Parents who lay a solid foundation during the tween years set themselves up for success in the teen years. Tweens who develop a solid group of core values and a positive self-image will find those traits following them into the teen years and beyond.