What Mom's de la Quinceanera Must Know About The Teen Brain

As you're planning your daughter's special day in her life. Her Quinceanera Celebration. At times you probably find it difficult for both of you. It's not because you aren't a great mom or your daughter isn't a wonderful person. It's that she is a teen in an adults body.

Interesting scientific information has been brought to my attention today and I thought I would share it with you. Through the use of MRI's and other research studies neuroscientists at the National Institute of Mental Health have shown that a teens' brain is not fully developed until his/her early twenties. What this means is that most teens can't be expected to make decisions on a consistent basis like an adult can. The part of the brain that controls their decision making process is the frontal lobe, which is still process of developmental growth.

Dr. Jay Giedd, lead researcher at the National institute of Health using MRI scans demonstrates by comparing the adult brain to the teen brain, the teen brain uses unlike pathways as the adult brain to make decisions. Dr. Giedd's studies show that for many teens this area of the brain is not developed until the early 20's. Teens instead use another area of the brain for making decisions. The area of the brain teens use controls the arousal, fear and the overall teens emotional state.

Therefore, when a teenager makes a decision many times he/she is influenced by the excitement of the moment and rather than the long term consequences regarding his/her decision.

If you missed the Good Morning America segment on Spring Break behavior you will find this very interesting information. The behavior on the video is such that I don't think any parent would want to see it. However, education is the best prevention of this ever happening to someone in your family. Watching the video with your daughter and discussing both of your observations without judgment will help both of you.

Dr. Giedd states,'The brain is largely wired for social interaction and for bonding with caretakers. And sometimes it's even disappointing to people with all the science and all the advances that the best advice we can give is things that our grandmother could have told us generations ago: to spend loving and quality time with our children...'.

Glenn Goldberg, J.D., R.C. Adolescent Specialist and Parent Coach, states: Most parents of teens have experienced bad attitudes and disrespectful communication. It's not fun, but it's normal...Understanding more about your teenager's still developing brain may help release some of your hurt, resentment and confusion. It also may encourage you to give your child some extra grace, patience and compassion as they complete their passage from being a dependent child to an independent adult.

I thought this is a very important piece of information to share with you as your daughter celebrates her right of passage at her Quinceanera Celebration. This knowledge will help both of you better understand her need for your support and guidance as she matures into a lovely young woman.

I have placed some links for those of you who would like to learn more about the subject of the Teen Brain and it's development and the reason why teens follow the behavior of the group even when it puts them in danger. Education is power.

I recommend you share this information with your daughter. Discuss your areas of concern. It will bring you both closer together. Your days will be filled with more sunshine. You can also check out my blog on the same subject at Ask Priscilla.

Other links:
The Teen Brain by Glenn Goldberg- J.D. R.C. Adolescent Specialist
Inside the Teenage Brain- interview with Dr. Jay Giedd by PBS
Spring Break Confessions -video