Parents of an intersen phase child (aged 9 to 12) commonly have several concerns in today’s world. These concerns may vary based on factors such as societal changes, technological advancements and individual family dynamics. It’s important for us to talk about these concerns, and learn how to tackle them so we can support our children better.

Top things you should be concerned about if you have an intersen phase child

1. Academic pressure

Parents often worry about their child’s academic performance and the pressure to excel in school. This includes concerns about standardised testing, homework loads and maintaining high grades.

2. Screen time and technology

With the increasing prevalence of technology in children’s lives, parents are concerned about excessive screen time, the impact of social media on mental health, exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying. If your child is always on an iPad or device then it’s perhaps time to put limits in place to protect them.

3. Social and emotional development

Parents are concerned about their child’s social and emotional well-being, including issues such as peer relationships, bullying, self-esteem and coping with stress or anxiety.

4. Safety and security

Parents worry about keeping their children safe in an increasingly complex world, including concerns about stranger danger, online safety and navigating risky behaviours such as substance abuse.

5. Physical health and nutrition

Parents are concerned about their child’s physical health, including issues such as obesity, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and the impact of sedentary lifestyles on long-term health.

6. Parent-child communication

Effective communication between parents and children is a concern for many parents, including worries about maintaining open lines of communication, building trust and addressing sensitive topics such as puberty, relationships and sexuality.

7. Balancing extracurricular activities

Parents may worry about finding a balance between their child’s academic commitments and extracurricular activities such as sports, music lessons or clubs, ensuring that their child has time for both enrichment and relaxation.

8. Peer influence and peer pressure

Parents are concerned about the influence of peers on their child’s behaviour and decision-making, including worries about negative peer pressure, cliques and fitting in socially.

9. Identity and self-discovery

As children enter pre-adolescence, parents may worry about their child’s developing sense of identity, including concerns about gender identity, cultural identity and navigating societal expectations.

10. Preparing for adolescence

Parents may have concerns about preparing their child for the transition into adolescence, including issues such as puberty, sexuality education, independence, and preparing for the challenges of the teenage years.

These concerns highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of parenting children aged 9 to 12 in today’s rapidly changing world. How can we deal with all of these concerns? Effective support, guidance and communication are essential for addressing these concerns and helping children navigate the challenges they face during this critical stage of development. Email enquiries@knightsprep.com if you’re looking for guidance, and we’ll certainly help if we can.