Nearly every adult can look back on their adolescence and recall some difficult times. In addition to physical changes, adolescents also face a shifting landscape in just about every other facet of their lives. Social pressure from peers greatly increases during adolescence, as does pressure to perform academically. Oftentimes, the dueling pressures adolescents face can make for difficult times at home, meaning parents must be prepared to make some adjustments as well.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, staying connected with your child as he goes through adolescence requires that a parent understand adolescent development and how best to get a child back on track if he should lose focus.

Educate. Learning what behaviors to expect from your child throughout adolescence is a good way to ensure your relationship won't grow as strained as some teen-parent relationships. Also, by educating yourself about the effects of both physical and mental changes your child will go through, you'll be in a better position to help your child deal with those changes.

Listen. With pressure coming from many different places, adolescents often need someone to talk to as a means to relieving stress. While parents are often the talkers leading up to adolescence, adopting the role of listener is a good way to stay connected with your children. By listening more than talking, you're also aiding in your child's development.

Teach. While parents should lean more toward the role of listener through their child's adolescence, there is still room to teach as well. Adolescence can often be a period of very high highs and some pretty low lows. Teach your child  to expect both of these and to learn from each.

It's also important that an adolescent learn responsibility. Parents can teach this in a number of ways, whether it's increasing their child's responsibility around the house or allowing them to have a part-time job. Whichever method you choose, make sure your child knows that with responsibilities come certain rights, and vice versa. Involving your child in family decisions by seeking their input is also a good means to teaching them responsibility, as you can better emphasize that with each decision comes consequences that must be considered prior to making a decision.

Encourage. Though each child is different, adolescence is a period where children begin to grow more independent, a fact of life that should be encouraged. While it can be difficult to let go, it's in your child's best interest, as their ability to handle responsibility down the road will be greatly influenced by how supportive you are of them while they're learning to be more responsible in adolescence.

Stay close. While adolescents often have busy schedules, take advantage of the time they're at home and don't have much on their plate. Whether it's time spent watching a ballgame or a movie, or just shooting the breeze around the house, try and spend some time with your child where you can simply talk with one another about anything. Show an interest in their life outside the home and share with them about your life outside the home as well.

Remember. Parents should always remember they were an adolescent once, too. Remembering how difficult it might have been for you can help you relate better when times get tough for your child. Though much about the world has likely changed since you were their age, the problems adolescents face remain relatively similar.

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