The second stage in the transition to adulthood is when a girl starts spending less time with her parents and more time with her other friends – her “tribe.”Īgain, the desire to be part of a teenage tribe is a very natural part of the maturing process, but it still comes with certain drawbacks. This is also true when only one parent is present – and even in situations where the teen expresses an overall dislike for her parents. Studies show that regular family meals improve not only the psychological health of teenagers but also their grades at school. If you’re worried about the weakening of the family bond, try establishing regular family times, whether it’s eating dinner at the table or even just sitting together to watch a movie.

The best way to deal with this is to tell your teen that her comments hurt your feelings, and to let her know that she should be more mindful about what she says.īut your daughter’s increased standoffishness doesn’t mean you can’t plan ways to stay in touch. And these remarks will often be aimed at vulnerable areas, such as physical appearance or sartorial shortcomings.

Daughters often say mean or cruel things to their parents – especially their mother. Now, it’s not uncommon for this behavior to be accompanied by temperamental outbursts. So, rather than worrying, be glad that she is going through all of this in a safe environment. Transitioning into adulthood is sort of like learning to ride a bike: isolation at home is the training wheels, the learning period that precedes adult independence. While your teen is consciously seeking time alone, she’s also unconsciously preparing herself for the independence of adulthood. This first stage usually occurs around age eleven, and it’s characterized by the desire for privacy and isolation.īut keep in mind that this isolation is both a conscious and unconscious act. This change in behavior can set off parental alarm bells, but there’s really no need to panic it’s merely the first of the seven natural stages that every girl goes through when transitioning from childhood to womanhood. After years of happily spending time with them, their daughter suddenly seems to disappear into herself and her room, avoiding conversation and contact. It happens to the parents of all daughters.

Great expectations cliff notes