Teenagers

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Even if you feel close to your teenage son or daughter, keeping on the ball is not easy. Sex, relationships, drugs, alcohol, stress, gangs, school, exams, bullying, whatever - things can get out of hand.  Thankfully, there is a lot of information and support out there.

Find useful parent resources on a range of topics such as teenagers and sex, troubled teenagers, drug abuse, exam stress, bullying and internet safety. We hope you'll find the information you're looking for here, if not get in touch. And if there are any organisations or websites that have helped you, please let us know.

We've also put together tips on Parenting teenagers and Sex, relationships and teenagers.

Useful resources for parents of teenagers

Dad Talk

Provides opportunities for dads to talk on and offline, enables dads to access informtion and support that is specifically targeted at fathers.

Got a Teenager

Website giving advice for parents of teenagers and anyone with a teenager in their life. Offers parent-to-parent support, informal advice, useful information and a community of other parents.

Mumsnet: by parents for parents

Offers advice and information for parents and families - anything from pregnancy to starting school to troubled teens. The website has parents' chatrooms.

Netmums

A family of local websites covering the UK. Each site offers information on everything from where to find playgroups and how to eat healthily to where to meet other mothers, and has a range of parenting advice from pregnancy to teens.

One Space

Parenting website for single parents. It provides information for lone parents on issues including, bullying, parenting teenagers, life after separation.

Parent Channel TV

Short videos on parenting 5 to 19 year olds, delivered by professionals and parents. Offers advice and information about a range of issues including bullying, health and relationships.

Parenting teenagers: top ten tips (Parenting across Scotland)

Tips to help make the teenage years easier.

Parentline Scotland

Free, confidential, parent support helpline for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. You can call about any problem, however big or small.

Teenage years (Parent Channel TV)

Video about the changes going on for a teenager, and looking at some flexible, non-judgemental ways to understand them and help them cope with the ups and downs of being a teenager.

Understanding Childhood

Website where you can download leaflets covering many aspects of children's emotional development from birth to adulthood, and family relationships.

Aberlour Childcare Trust

Supports families affected by disability, drugs and alcohol, behaviour problems and emotional difficulties.

Adfam: families, drugs and alcohol

Real stories by families affected by substance misuse and the opportunity to share your own story. Information about helplines and local support for families of addicts.

Alcohol Advice for Parents (Drink Smarter)

How you can influence your child's drinking. Includes a downloadable guide (PDF) 'You, your child and alcohol'.

BEAT: Beating Eating Disorders

Information, advice and support on all aspects of eating disorders. Includes telephone helpline service and local help finder.

Beatbullying

Works directly with children and young people who are being bullied, or who bully. Particularly concerned with children bullied at school, and provides bullying support and advice.

Bedwetting: factsheet for kids (KidsHealth)

Clearly written and helpful advice for children and their families about children's bed wetting.

Behaviour (Parent Channel TV)

A selection of videos about children and teenagers' behaviour.

Bullying (Young Minds)

Information and where to get help if you're worried that your child being bullied, or that your child is a bully.

Communicating with teenagers (Dad Talk)

Advice for fathers on communicating with their teenage son or daughter in a positive way, including listening and keeping communication going.

Drugs - what every parent should know (NHS Health Scotland)

Booklet for parents about drugs. Includes talking and listening, facts about drugs, why young people become involved in drugs, what happens to young people who take drugs, and the law.

Drugs and alcohol: just say no (Fatherhood Institute)

Pamphlet for dads to help them communicate effectively with their children on the topics of drugs and alcohol.

ERIC: Education Resources for Improving Child Continence

Provides information, support and resources to families on wetting, soiling and other continence problems in children. Has a telephone helpline.

Gambling Laws Concerning Children (Law & Parents)

Gambling among children and young people is a growing concern. This page gives some advice as well as legal information about children gambling.

Gangs and gang crime: advice for parents (Directgov)

Find out about gangs and gang crime including how to prevent your child getting involved in a gang.

Got a Teenager

Website giving advice for parents of teenagers and anyone with a teenager in their life. Offers parent-to-parent support, informal advice, useful information and a community of other parents.

Hands On Scotland

Toolkit designed to encourage emotional wellbeing in children and young people. There are two main sections: one section on helping children flourish and another on troubling behaviours.

Harmless: self harm support and information

Harmless provides a range of services about self harm including support, information, training and consultancy.

Hormone hijack 14-19 (Parent Channel TV)

A video about how to support the natural process of change as your teen enters adulthood – being ready for mood swings, changing attitudes, and the emergence of sexual and emotional maturity.

Keeping your child safe from knife crime

Find out about the law on knives, what your responsibilites are, and how to talk to your child about knives.

Kids behaving badly (Parent Channel TV)

A video about what types of teenage behaviour are normal and what you need to watch out for, and how can you make sure you’re in control of the situation.

Kids Behaviour

A website which offers advice, help and support to any parents or carers who need guidance when dealing with a child's behaviour.

Mindroom

One-to-one support for families of children and adults with learning difficulties.

Parentline Scotland

Free, confidential, parent support helpline for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. You can call about any problem, however big or small.

Re-Solv Scotland

Provides information for children, young people and parents about solvent abuse and volatile substance abuse. Has a telephone helpline.

Sleep Scotland

Support to families of children and young people with additional support needs and severe sleep problems. Telephone helpline available.

Supporting teenagers (Understanding Childhood)

Advice for parents of teenagers - helping them think about the difficulties and changes children may experience in the early and middle teens.

Talk to Frank

Information and advice on drug use for teenagers and family members. Telephone helpline, an online forum and a web enquiry service.

Teenagers (BBC Health)

Looks at teenage developmental stages, emotional development, relationships with others, school and life beyond and antisocial behaviour.

Tips on talking to teenagers

Helpful advice about talking to your teenager.

Web4Health: Psychology Free Online

Answers to more than 900 questions about psychology, mental health and relationships.

Young Minds

Information and support on bullying, depression, exams, divorce and separation and more. They have a parent's helpline for anyone worried about their child's emotional problems or behaviour.

Youth in Mind

Search for websites, books, services and helplines if you are concerned about your child's mental well-being or behaviour. Online assessment also available.

Anti-bullying information for parents (RespectMe)

Answers questions parents might have about bullying, gives ideas on supporting their child, and signposts to bullying advice and support agencies.

Beatbullying

Works directly with children and young people who are being bullied, or who bully. Particularly concerned with children bullied at school, and provides bullying support and advice.

Bullying (Young Minds)

Information and where to get help if you're worried that your child being bullied, or that your child is a bully.

Bullying information (Childline)

Bullying advice and support for children, including child bullied at school and cyber bullying.

Bullying UK

Website offering bullying advice to parents, children and young people.

ChildLine

Free confidential helpline giving support for children in distress or danger.

Gangs and gang crime: advice for parents (Directgov)

Find out about gangs and gang crime including how to prevent your child getting involved in a gang.

Internet Safety Zone

The site has a specific parents section that includes information about cyberbullying, pornography and online grooming.

Keeping your child safe from knife crime

Find out about the law on knives, what your responsibilites are, and how to talk to your child about knives.

Kidscape

Offers bullying advice to parents through its telephone helpline service, also tips and information through the website.

Kidsmart

Internet safety website, teaching you how to use MSN, social networking sites and Google safely, and about parental controls for mobiles, laptops and games consoles.

Leaving children at home alone (NSPCC)

Helpful advice and information for parents and carers about leaving your child at home alone, choosing a babysitter and guidance for keeping your child safe.

Out alone: your guide to keeping your child safe (NSPCC)

Advice and practical tips to parents on how to prepare children for being out on their own.

RespectMe YouTube channel

Videos about child bullying from Scotland's anti-bullying services. Includes advice for parents and carers about how to support a young person who has been bullied.

Safety advice (Child Accident and Prevention Trust)

Expert safety advice to parents to help you understand the risks, and give your children a safe environment to grow up in. Phoneline for safety advice and information.

Samaritans

Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day by phone or email.

Scared of School

Website for kids by kids, containing information and support on the issue of being afraid to go to school because of bullying or other reasons.

Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration

The centre of the child protection and youth justice system for children in Scotland (Children’s Hearings System). Website provides information for parents and carers whose children have been asked to attend a hearing.

Think U Know: keeping children safe online

From social networking to online gaming this website has lots of useful tips covering all online activities.

Aberlour Childcare Trust

Supports families affected by disability, drugs and alcohol, behaviour problems and emotional difficulties.

Capability Scotland

Works with families with disabled children and disabled people of all ages. Run a telephone advice service.

Cerebra

Cerebra’s website has a wide range of information for parents of a child with a brain injury or brain related condition. They also have a helpline.

Child Brain Injury Trust

Provides information, support and training to anyone affected by childhood acquired brain injury.

Childcare support for disabled children (Capability Scotland)

Capability Scotland provides support for families with disabled children who wish to access childcare.

Contact a Family

Information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with any special need or disability. Has a telephone helpline.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Support, advice and information for families of children and babies with cystic fibrosis through helplines and publications and online services.

Disabled Parents Network

Supports all parents with a disability and provides a telephone helpline service.

Downs Syndrome Scotland

Provides support, advice and information to people with Down's syndrome, their parents, carers and professionals.

Enable Scotland

Offers a range of services for children and adults with learning difficulties and support for families, including a helpline.

Enquire: the Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning

Independent advice and information to families of children who need extra learning support in schools. Telephone helpline service is provided.

Equity in Education

Offers informal support, advice and advocacy to parents of children with additional support needs in Scotland.

Family Fund: helping disabled children

Provides grants to low income families with severely disabled or seriously ill children, aged 17 years and under.

Grapevine Disability Information Service

Confidential advice and information for disabled people and their families in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. Telephone and text phone helpline available.

Kindered Scotland

Advice and information for parents and families looking for help with their child's additional support needs. Telephone helpline service.

Mindroom

One-to-one support for families of children and adults with learning difficulties.

National Blind Childrens Society

A comprehensive 'one-stop-shop' service for parents and carers of visually impaired children, including a helpline.

National Deaf Childrens Society (NCDS)

NCDS offers support, advice and information for families of deaf children, including a helpline, family officers, local groups, benefits and education appeals advisers.

Preparing for adult life - disabled young people (Contact a Family)

Downloadable booklet (PDF) from Contact a Family about transition planning and services for young adults (16+) with a disability.

Scottish Spina Bifida Association

Information, helpline, family support and local support groups for parents and carers of a baby with spina bifida and spina bifida children.

Sibs: for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults

Website for siblings of a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness, or life limiting condition. There is a section for parents.

Sleep Scotland

Support to families of children and young people with additional support needs and severe sleep problems. Telephone helpline available.

STEPS (clubfoot, hip dysplasia or any other lower limb condition)

STEPS offers confidential advice and support to people affected by hip dysplasia, clubfoot and other lower limb conditions.

Transition Information Network

A website for parents and carers of disabled young people as they start to become adults.

Update: disability information Scotland

Provides general disability information and contact details of appropriate local and specialist organisations.

Careers Scotland

Advice to young people and their parents about education and career options.

Choosing a School - a Guide for Parents (Scottish Government)

Information from the Scottish Government about choosing a school run by a local council. Gives a general explanation of the law relating to placing requests.

Curriculum for Excellence (Education Scotland)

Curriculum for Excellence is the name given for the education system in Scotland being brought in from 2010-11 - find out more.

Dyslexia Scotland

Provides information and support for parents who have a child with dyslexia or think that their child could have dyslexia.

Education choices from 5 to 16

Information from Citizens Advice on parental rights in relation to education, including choosing a school, home education, and what to do if your choice of school is refused.

Education Law Unit

Legal representation for pupils and parents. Information and advice about all aspects of education law including parental rights, and children with special needs education. Telephone helpline available.

Enquire: the Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning

Independent advice and information to families of children who need extra learning support in schools. Telephone helpline service is provided.

Equity in Education

Offers informal support, advice and advocacy to parents of children with additional support needs in Scotland.

Exam Guide

List of Scottish national qualifications and grades, together with links to more detailed information.

Excluded from school

Information for children and young people who need extra help at school and have been excluded from a school in Scotland. Includes their rights to education.

Get the Right School

Website providing information and advice for parents on education choices and applying for schools outside your local catchment area.

Guidance on home education (Scottish Government)

Government guidance aiming to establish good practice between education authorities and parents who are educating their children at home.

I CAN: helps children communicate

Information about children's speech and language development. Has a helpline for parents.

Local authorities in Scotland

Link to every local authority website in Scotland. Useful for finding information about local services, childcare and education.

Mindroom

One-to-one support for families of children and adults with learning difficulties.

Parentzone

Information about education in Scotland and ideas to help parents support their children's learning. Includes choosing a school, the curriculum, parent councils and supporting learning at home.

Scared of School

Website for kids by kids, containing information and support on the issue of being afraid to go to school because of bullying or other reasons.

School work and exam stress (Young Minds)

At exam time, many parents are anxious about how much their children are studying, whether they are looking after themselves, and whether they will get the results they need. Here are some tips to help your child and releive the stress.

Scottish Parent Teacher Council

The national organisation for parents' groups in Scottish schools. Supports parents who want to get involved in their children's school by providing advice and information.

Summer Fun 4 Kids

Directory of summer camps and courses.

Walk to School

Helpful tips about keeping children safe when they walk to school. Explains the benefits to children, parents and the environment.

Action for Sick Children (Scotland)

Information and advice on any aspect of caring for a sick child or young person. Also provides support to families and children at hospital and signposting to other sources of help.

Adfam: families, drugs and alcohol

Real stories by families affected by substance misuse and the opportunity to share your own story. Information about helplines and local support for families of addicts.

Alcohol Advice for Parents (Drink Smarter)

How you can influence your child's drinking. Includes a downloadable guide (PDF) 'You, your child and alcohol'.

Allergy UK

Charity providing information on allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity. Telephone helpline available.

Asthma UK

Advice helpline with an asthma nurse and a comprehensive website, including a parents section and information on asthma in children.

BEAT: Beating Eating Disorders

Information, advice and support on all aspects of eating disorders. Includes telephone helpline service and local help finder.

Bedwetting: factsheet for kids (KidsHealth)

Clearly written and helpful advice for children and their families about children's bed wetting.

Breathing Space Scotland

Telephone helpline service and website supporting anyone feeling down or depressed.

British Dental Health Foundation

Have a helpline, and their website includes a lot of useful information including dental care for mother and baby, children's teeth.

Child health advice (Great Ormond Street Hospital)

Great Ormond Street Hospital experts provide advice to questions and concerns on all aspects of childhood health and behaviour.

Childrens Chronic Arthritis Association (CCAA)

Run by parents and professionals of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the CCAA provides support, and information.

CLIC Sargent for children with cancer

Care and support for families with a child who has cancer, from specialist social workers and nurses, to free accommodation near hospitals. They have a helpline.

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland

Offers a free confidential bereavement counselling and support to people of all ages. Has telephone helpline.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Support, advice and information for families of children and babies with cystic fibrosis through helplines and publications and online services.

Drinkline and Drink Smarter

Helpline for anyone who wants more information about alcohol, local services that can help, or simply to talk about drinking and alcohol issues. There's also a website 'Drink Smarter' about sensible drinking.

Drugs - what every parent should know (NHS Health Scotland)

Booklet for parents about drugs. Includes talking and listening, facts about drugs, why young people become involved in drugs, what happens to young people who take drugs, and the law.

Drugs and alcohol: just say no (Fatherhood Institute)

Pamphlet for dads to help them communicate effectively with their children on the topics of drugs and alcohol.

Epilepsy Scotland

Advice, information and support, including a helpline, for families who have a child with epilepsy.

ERIC: Education Resources for Improving Child Continence

Provides information, support and resources to families on wetting, soiling and other continence problems in children. Has a telephone helpline.

Families Anonymous: families of drug users

This site provides help the family and friends of people with a current, suspected or former drug problem.

Hands On Scotland

Toolkit designed to encourage emotional wellbeing in children and young people. There are two main sections: one section on helping children flourish and another on troubling behaviours.

Harmless: self harm support and information

Harmless provides a range of services about self harm including support, information, training and consultancy.

Head lice information for parents (NHS Health Scotland)

Helpful advice for parents about head lice, their treatment and prevention.

Immunisation Scotland: your guide to immunisation and vaccines

Find out about immunisations and vaccines. Immunisation helps protect against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough and polio.

Know the Score

Information and advice on drugs for parents and young people. Helpline also available.

National Eczema Society

Provides practical advice about the management of eczema and treatment for eczema; has a helpline and a network of local support groups.

NHS 24

If you or your child is feeling ill call the NHS 24 helpline. Alternatively use the self-help guide on the website.

NHS Inform

NHS Scotland's health information service. Includes a health A-Z, common health questions, local and national support groups directory, and news on health issues.

Re-Solv Scotland

Provides information for children, young people and parents about solvent abuse and volatile substance abuse. Has a telephone helpline.

Samaritans

Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day by phone or email.

Scottish Association for Children with Heart Disorders

Supports families who have a child with a heart defect. Has local branches across Scotland running events and activities, holiday breaks and family weekends.

Scottish Autism

Scottish autism provides help and support to families living with autism. They have a dedicated telephone helpline staffed by professionals.

Scottish Spina Bifida Association

Information, helpline, family support and local support groups for parents and carers of a baby with spina bifida and spina bifida children.

Share your story: Young Minds parents forum

A forum for any parent, carer or relative who is concerned about their child's emotional problems or behaviour.

STEPS (clubfoot, hip dysplasia or any other lower limb condition)

STEPS offers confidential advice and support to people affected by hip dysplasia, clubfoot and other lower limb conditions.

Talk to Frank

Information and advice on drug use for teenagers and family members. Telephone helpline, an online forum and a web enquiry service.

Together for Short Lives

Information about what care and support is available for families of children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. They have a helpline.

Walk to School

Helpful tips about keeping children safe when they walk to school. Explains the benefits to children, parents and the environment.

Web4Health: Psychology Free Online

Answers to more than 900 questions about psychology, mental health and relationships.

Wellbeing (Parent Channel TV)

A selection of videos about ways to support your child's physical and emotional wellbeing.

Young Minds

Information and support on bullying, depression, exams, divorce and separation and more. They have a parent's helpline for anyone worried about their child's emotional problems or behaviour.

Youth in Mind

Search for websites, books, services and helplines if you are concerned about your child's mental well-being or behaviour. Online assessment also available.

Bare Facts (BBC)

Provides information to parents about talking to their children and teenagers about sex, love and relationships.

Communicating with teenagers (Dad Talk)

Advice for fathers on communicating with their teenage son or daughter in a positive way, including listening and keeping communication going.

Family breakup 14-19 (Parent Channel TV)

Video looking at family breakups from a teenager's point of view and how to understand and accept their point of view, and include them in the decisions that you make.

Got a Teenager

Website giving advice for parents of teenagers and anyone with a teenager in their life. Offers parent-to-parent support, informal advice, useful information and a community of other parents.

Healthy Respect

Information for parents and carers on teenage sexual health and relationships. Topics include: talking together; sexuality and gender; religion and beliefs: learning disability; the law.

LGBT Youth Scotland

Community-based organisation, working to improve the health and wellbeing of youth lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in Scotland.

Parentline Scotland

Free, confidential, parent support helpline for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. You can call about any problem, however big or small.

Parents Enquiry Scotland

Provides help, information and support for parents and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children (LGBT) children. Have helplines run by parents of LGBT children.

Relationships (Transition Information Network)

Booklets and other resources on sex and relationships for disabled teenagers and their parents and carers.

Sex (Parent Channel TV)

Video about teenagers and sex, and how you talk to your teenager about sex without feeling embarrassed.

Sex, relationships and teenagers: top ten tips (Parenting across Scotland)

Parenting across Scotland tips on talking about sex and relationships with teenagers.

Speakeasy in Scotland

Free eight-week courses where you can learn about contraception, puberty keeping your teenager safe and about sex and relationships in the family context.

Stay or go? Young people living at home and leaving home (Scottish Council for Single Homeless)

A guide for parents to help your child prepare for the time when they leave home. Provides information about different options and details about how to plan for the move.

Supporting teenagers (Understanding Childhood)

Advice for parents of teenagers - helping them think about the difficulties and changes children may experience in the early and middle teens.

Talk 2

Website with lots of useful materials aimed at supporting parents in talking to their children about growing up, sex and relationships.

Teenagers (BBC Health)

Looks at teenage developmental stages, emotional development, relationships with others, school and life beyond and antisocial behaviour.

Tips on talking to teenagers

Helpful advice about talking to your teenager.

Web4Health: Psychology Free Online

Answers to more than 900 questions about psychology, mental health and relationships.

Wellbeing (Parent Channel TV)

A selection of videos about ways to support your child's physical and emotional wellbeing.