When your daughter turns 14: What you and she need to know

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Puberty for girls begins at 8-13 years old and ends around 14-15 years of age. Breasts begin to develop first, followed by underarm and pubic hair growth. Teenagers may get their first period about 2 years after their breasts start to develop, but the exact timing is different for every baby. It is also normal for some children to start a little earlier or later than other girls of the same age.
A lot of other physical changes are also taking place. Your 14-year-old daughter may have grown taller, have bigger hips and thighs, as well as some acne breakouts.

Are 14-year-old girls having a hard time figuring out who I am and what I should do? Your daughter may question the rules at home as well as at school, and find ways to circumvent them. As they gain more freedom, teenagers begin to want to leave their parents. This is normal, showing that babies are learning to be more independent.
Girls can feel excited about this new phase in their life and become self-conscious about their body transformation. 14-year-old girls often worry about their appearance and are more concerned with how to coordinate their clothes every day.

Due to the growing concern about appearance, girls this age can try dieting. However, this is not a good time to cut back on food because your baby is still growing. Eating disorders sometimes appear in the early teen years.
At the age of 14, your daughter is more involved in her peer group. Acceptance from friends is very important and children also compare themselves to others. Adolescents may begin to face the temptation to try drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or sex. Most teenagers text their friends and are active on social platforms such as Facebook, Zalo and Tiktok... Children often spend more time on social networks than you think, especially often online. late at night without parental supervision.
Teens in general and your 14-year-old girl are more likely to have mood swings as well. Children will focus on self-esteem, feel like the center of attention, sometimes very confident, sometimes feel self-deprecating. Hormonal changes, struggles to build self-image, the acceptance of friends and keeping a distance from parents... all play a role in influencing the child's personality.
School is the center of a 14 year old girl's life, they have more responsibilities and more stress. Children's lives depend on going to class, completing homework and after-school activities, socializing with friends, increasing expectations and many other annoyances.

Children progress at different rates, with the ability to develop abstract thinking, a stronger sense of right and wrong. Your children may now be able to think further and set goals for themselves. Sometimes problems with concentration, attention, or learning arise because of the more difficult requirements of school work.

A 14-year-old girl's brain is still developing, and brain changes during the teenage years can be the cause of mental disorders. Therefore, parents should regularly ask their children about puberty to know their children's thoughts, feelings and emotions. Make sure your child is just a little moody like other teenagers sometimes, and that this is not a sign of a more serious problem, such as depression. If you have concerns about your child's mental health, talk to your doctor right away.

No matter how much your 14-year-old daughter wants to be independent, she still needs parental support and guidance, especially when you want to keep her safe and healthy. Here are some tips:
Talk to your child about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, smoking and sex. Be a role model for your child about a healthy lifestyle. Always know where your child is, when he's coming home and with whom. Be sure to schedule an early pick-up, giving your child another option if he's uncomfortable or doesn't like group activities. Prepare healthy foods for your child and schedule family time to eat together as much as possible. Ensure a 14-year-old girl has a yearly check-up and a dentist twice a year. Teach your child healthy ways to deal with stress. Share with your children how parents overcome stress and pressure in life. Limit screen time to 2 hours per day (not including homework time). Note what pubertal children watch and read. Encourage your child to be active for at least 1 hour a day. Encourage your child to get enough sleep because most teenagers stay up late. Lack of sleep makes it difficult for children to concentrate at school and in a bad mood.

Parents conflict, arguing with puberty children is natural. If you must have a fight with your child, focus on important issues, like safety and school. Do not worry too much about clothes and hairstyles according to young people's preferences.
Other things you should pay attention to are:
Get to know your child's friends and other parents. Get involved in your child's school life by going to regular parent-teacher conferences, joining a parent-teacher association. Getting to know the teacher will help you learn more about your child's performance and behavior at school. If you think your child has an attention or learning problem, take him or her for a professional evaluation as soon as possible. Help build self-esteem by acknowledging your child's efforts, even when things don't go as hoped. Praise your child's actions, not just his looks. When there is conflict, listen to your child and answer all his questions in a reasonable way. Follow some of your child's suggestions as appropriate. Your child may feel overwhelmed with school and social activities. So make sure not to ask too much from your child. Ask your child's opinion about family decisions and give them the opportunity to make more decisions for themselves. My 14 year old daughter is old enough to do chores around the house - vacuuming, cleaning, gardening, cooking her own lunch... Get her involved to feel valued and competent. Encourage your child to take on new challenges, such as trying a new sport that not many of her friends know about. Spend time together, do something that both parents and children enjoy. A natural conversation is really the best. A child who is raised to find his or her role and be satisfied with life will be truly happy. Parents should become a firm foundation so that a 14-year-old girl always feels trusted and confident with her own decisions. Children will feel safe knowing that they have parents behind them to support and protect them and their family is always the place to go.

Reference source: webmd.com