A trusted resource for families
Essentials for Parenting Teens is a free online resource for parents and caregivers of teens between the ages of 11 and 17. CDC reviewed extensive research to identify the best approaches to parenting teenagers and spoke with the experts—both recognized leaders in the parenting field and parents themselves—to create articles, videos, and activities parents and caregivers can use.
Topics covered in Essentials for Parenting Teens include:
Together, these materials provide a strong foundation of information and advice. Materials for each topic allow parents and caregivers to reflect on what they’ve learned and practice new skills with their teens. Although Essentials for Parenting Teens does not cover every challenge parents and caregivers may face, the series offers basic elements to support understanding, communicating with, and encouraging teens.
An evidence-based method for the professionals who care for young people and families
CDC has funded research and provided expert guidance to protect youth, support families, and build nurturing and healthy communities for more than 30 years. That’s why professionals who serve youth and families (including educators, clinicians, pastors, counselors, and therapists) can feel comfortable recommending CDC resources to the people they serve.
To create Essentials for Parenting Teens, the CDC commissioned a comprehensive literature review of parenting studies and research published over 10 years. The research team reviewed relevant articles and interviewed well-known researchers and academics from the fields of social work, psychology and prevention science to identify information and skills useful for parents and carers of teenagers.
Using the literature review and subject matter expert interviews, CDC developed materials and tested them with focus groups of parents and caregivers across the country with experience raising teenagers. The result is a well-researched and tested collection of easy-to-read articles, instructional videos with real-world examples, and engaging activities that parents and caregivers can use at any time.
A complete list of references used to develop Essentials for Parenting Teens is available upon request. Please email [email protected] for the full list.
