Tips for taking care of children and adolescents

Conflict between parents and children is normal. It's part of family life. Kaiser Permanente offers a variety of resources and support to help you set boundaries, resolve conflicts, and help your teens and children manage their stress levels and even depression. 

Day-to-day tips and healthy habits

We know you want to do everything you can to help your child be healthy. While it's important to stay up to date with scheduled well-child checkups, vaccinations, and screening tests, it's also important for your kids to live a healthy lifestyle and establish good habits:

• Get 60 minutes of active play time each day
• Limit screen time
• Eat right
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid drugs and alcohol

 

When they're sick

Parents aren't given an instruction manual for when kids get sick. Knowing how to ease cold and flu symptoms, which medicines are safe to give your kids, and how to help cool a fever are important skills to learn. We've put together some tips that can help you take care of your child during those sick days.

Learn more about self-care for kids

Helping teens through depression

Everyone — including kids — feels down or upset at some point in their lives. But when sad feelings last for a long time, it may be more serious. You can help them by assuring them that their mood will improve — it just might take some time. Focus on things that can help them feel better, such as being with friends and family, eating well, and getting enough rest. But take things slowly. Do not do too much too soon.

Learn more about childhood and teenage depression

Learn about cyberbullying

When teenage hormones take charge

Conflict between parents and children is normal, but conflict that goes on for a long time and gets worse over time can cause stress and hurt relationships. It's important to communicate. Learn tips for how you can care for your child at home and avoid major conflict situations.

Talking about sex can be awkward, but the earlier you start the discussion, the better prepared your child will be to make safer decisions. And your child may be better able to deal with peer pressure and media influences as your child gets older.

How to talk with your teenager about sex

Discussing birth control

Talking about sexually transmitted diseases

Discussing sexual orientation

 

Additional resources

Parent–child conflict: care instructions

Healthy families, kids, and teens coaching programs

10 healthy habits

Sleep for teens

Health coaches are available to speak about creating healthy habits, managing weight, quitting tobacco, and more at 503-286-6816 or 1-866-301-3866, option 2.