Real changes

From the beginning of high school…

You may observe new behaviors and specific changes in your child. Here are some examples:

Your child…

Seems to detach from you to identify with others, such as a group of friends.
Cares a lot about what others think of him.
Becomes hypersensitive and may have mood swings.
Wants to become autonomous and demonstrate his independence.
Wants to experience new things.
Seems to contradict himself (yearns to demonstrate originality while wanting to conform).

These changes can be explained by the transition he is experiencing between childhood and adulthood.

Parental presence and support

While these changes may impact you, remember that your child still needs your presence and support, and it important for them to feel that you are listening, even though they may be rude or unruly. They are searching for their identity and may be trying to ‘test’ you.

Despite all this, reflecting his qualities, strengths and everything positive that you see in him is beneficial for his development and self-esteem. Helping him articulate what he likes and doesn’t like also helps him develop assertiveness, which is also beneficial for their development.

Identity development in youth

The development of identity merges personal traits, such as likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, values, personality and everything linked to identity. The more advanced their identity development, the more they can articulate their own personal characteristics and accurately describe themselves.

Extracted from a document of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.