When your daughter is 15 years old: What you and she need to know

A 15-year-old girl is a minor - she's not a child, she's not an adult yet. Aside from a lot of physical changes, this is also a time of great intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Although every girl is different, there are also milestones in common.

By the age of 15, most girls have developed breasts and pubic hair, reaching adult height. Especially a 15-year-old girl has her first period. Your daughter may be concerned about their body shape, as well as their height and weight. According to the survey, nearly 50% of high school girls are on a diet. Sometimes this preoccupation can lead to an eating disorder. If you think your daughter is also experiencing this, talk to your doctor or dietitian for advice.

When children are young, they only think about what is going on right now. But by the age of 15, a girl can think in more complex ways about the future and how the world works. Specifically, your 15-year-old girl can:
Start setting goals for the future; Plan for possible scenarios; More self-determination; Understand the impact of your actions. A 15-year-old girl will begin to form a sense of right and wrong and use it to make decisions. But sometimes children still act without thinking much. Your daughter will have a better life arrangement, flexibility in completing school tasks, social activities and housework.

A 15-year-old girl begins to want to assert herself. When they define who they are, they will want to gain more control and independence. 15-year-old girls will:
Consider friends as important as family; Spend less time with parents and more time with friends or alone; Start dating; Tendency to argue; Become interested in sex; Become more aware of your own sexual orientation; Feel things more deeply; Try to understand your own feelings; Feeling sad or depressed: If your child's sadness persists for more than a few weeks, seek professional help; Try alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. In general, a 15-year-old girl usually has a "rainy morning in the morning" temperament, almost always using the phone 24/7. Although your 15-year-old daughter may think she's grown up, she still needs a lot of guidance from her parents. The more you know about a 15-year-old girl's changes, the more you can help her.

Adolescents aged 15 - 19 years have a higher mortality rate than young children. The leading causes are traffic accidents, murder and suicide. As your daughter begins to take responsibility for her own safety, the following rules will help keep them safe:
Always wear a seat belt (wear a helmet) and never use a phone mobility while driving; Wear full protective gear when riding a bike, rollerblading or skateboard; Be careful when online and using social media; Comply with family, school and law rules, especially those regarding alcohol and drug use; Understand what can happen if you have sex (talk to your 15-year-old girl about pregnancy, STIs, and other issues related to sex).

Although your child doesn't always want or ask for it, he still needs your support. Your 15-year-old girl may drift away from you from time to time, but don't worry because this is normal. Be ready when your child wants to talk to you, put down the phone, stop what you're doing and listen quietly. Try to understand your child's point of view first, and then say what you think. Do not laugh at or disparage what your child says, instead offer helpful advice, offer support or encouragement. Take the time to do so as often as possible.
Here are some other ways you can support your 15-year-old daughter:
Help your daughter start planning for the future; Encourage your child to participate in the family decision-making process; Show an interest in your child's friends, school, and activities; Set limits on phone, electronic, and social media usage. Specify the punishment or consequences if the child does not comply properly; Teach your daughter how to say no. Make sure your child knows what to do if forced to use drugs or have sex. Tell your child to call or text you right away if he wants to leave a party or gathering of friends that he doesn't feel comfortable with. Encourage your child to participate in volunteering activities and care for others. Respect your child's privacy. Also, to help your daughter stay healthy, parents can apply the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule. Every day 15-year-old girls should:
Eat 5 servings of fruit/vegetables; Drink 4 bottles of 500ml water; Consume 3 servings of milk; Using electronic devices 2 hours; 1 hour of physical activity. Pay attention to your daughter's suicide risk warning signs, such as:
Talk about suicide or death; Talk about not existing in the future; Give away things you love so much; Have attempted suicide before. If you think your child is trying to commit suicide, don't leave your daughter alone, get help right away. The age of 15 is beautiful and also challenging. Be close and help her through this important time in her life.

Reference source: webmd.com