On Wednesday, 3^rd December 2014 a lecture for the parents of the pupils of V and VI grades was delivered on the challenges they face during this period of their children’s development. Our guest was Ljiljana Filipovic, a psychologist and psychotherapist, who informed the parents about the changes that happen in puberty, and how and why they occur based on her experience in practice. The second part of the lecture was dedicated to useful advice on how to raise a teenager and the different approaches towards girls and boys of the same age. Through 10 pieces of very useful and practical advice she discussed the “traps” parents usually fall into and the ways of dealing with seemingly hopeless situations, when a parent should retain their warmth, but also clearly draw boundaries and persevere in maintaining authority.  The third part was dedicated to “the principle of simplicity” when dealing with certain situation. If a problem or difficulty appears three simple questions need to be asked:

1. Where did things go wrong?
2. What would be better than this?
3. What needs to be done in order for the change to occur?

This story doesn’t end with the lecture. Parents can find useful advice in the book recommended by the lecturer called “Teenagers – how to set boundaries and stay sane” by Nigel Latta published by Psihopolis.  

Next time we will be talking about setting standards and rules of efficient rewarding and punishing.                                                                                                                                                   

Danijela Andrejic, School Psychologist

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