16 and 11 months

1. Think about your teen’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and how they are reflected in his or her school grades and activities from 14-16 years of age. What careers or courses of study might be best suited to your teen’s abilities and interests? Angel has been developing some new interests lately. She has been spending time with the "Habitat for Humanity" club after school and on weekends, and has been reading about the American Civil Rights Movement and Apartheid. We have encouraged Angel to enroll into different classes in order for her to figure out a career path. I really believe Angel will do well in Foreign Language, and a history major.

2. How important have your teen’s relationships with peers been to his/her social development, emotional well-being and school achievement from 14-16 years of age? Angel is in Honors English and History and is one of the strongest students. She loves to read. She has written some good pieces for the school literary magazine and is involved in the school newspaper. We enjoy talking about books with her and reading her stories. Angel’s relationship with peers is very good, although at Angel allows peer presser to get the best of her, in a negative way. Angel’s report card was pretty good, she received three A’s one B and two C’s. Angel is trying very hard at being a good well rounded teenager; I feel her emotional well-being isn't in question what so ever.

3. How has your teen adjusted at 14-16 years of age to typical adolescent issues such as risk-taking, drugs, alcohol, and sexual interests, and how have you responded to your teen? Well Angel has been dating someone for 2 months now. My husband and I are very worried. Angel says that she's in love, and I’m nervous that Angel may be having sex. My husband I talked with Angel and tried to convince her that she should wait until they are more mature, and sure of the relationship to engage in sex. However, just in case, we talked to Angel about safe sex, condoms, and birth control. Angel has come home from parties smelling like marijuana and alcohol. When I ask her about trying drugs Angel said, “No mom I would never do drugs!” My husband and I just go over our home rules again and enforce our beliefs on drugs. Angel has been taking some risks for instance; Angel is becoming more and more independent. In one of Angel's attempts to assert her independence, she spent the day with her boyfriend without telling me where they were going. It turned out they were doing community service work (and I have proof of that!), but I still took away some privileges on principle.