Parents and carers wanting to understand their teenagers better should check out Merton Council’s newly revised version of the ‘Understanding Your Teenager: A Guide for Parents’ handbook. It looks at 19 common issues affecting young people and is available both on hard copy and online.

Anti-social behaviour, bullying, sexual health, drugs and alcohol abuse are just some of the topics covered by the book which aims to give an insight into the important and sometimes challenging times parents and carers face when bringing up children.

Every teenager is unique and special and this book provides useful clues to help parents and carers understand the warning signs, including advice on what to do and say, steps to prevent problems occurring and where to get further advice and information.

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Debbie Shears, says: “Teenage years can be hard to deal with from both a young person’s and a parent’s or carer’s perspective and the advice given in this booklet will be helpful to parents and carers dealing with teenagers.”

“Merton Council is committed to supporting families and young people in the borough and this booklet is just one of the many ways we support parents and carers.”

To get a free copy of the booklet, parents and carers can contact the Merton Local Safeguarding Children Board on 020 8545 4866 or email mertonlscb@merton.gov.uk

The handbook can also be viewed on the ‘Child safety advice for parents’ webpage:
http://www.merton.gov.uk/community/lscb/lscbadviceforparents

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