Blog #2

Towards the middle of this chapter, Siegel talks about the two major changes that most all teens go through during their adolescent years. The first is when puberty hits we begin to experience changes in our body and changes in emotions. The second is that we push away from our parents and gravitate more towards being with peers and trying to do things in new and different ways.

I love Siegel's perspective on going through Puberty. Today, I think there is such a negative connotation with the word Puberty. Adolescence start developing more sexual characteristics. They start becoming more interested in the opposite sex. This is the way that God designed us intentionally. It is a beautiful process in becoming an adult and growing through life. I can remember a couple years ago, I was coaching a junior high volleyball camp. Before practice the girls would just sit in the hall way and talk about all the different boys they like or who they thought liked them. While I still didn't find this the best conversation to be having right before practice, I am better able to understand why after reading this chapter.

Pushing away from parents can be a tricky stage. As I read this book as a 20 year old, it's hard for me to understand the role or feelings of a parent with a child going through this stage. I remember going through this stage myself. I can think back to the time where I would do everything I could to try and have sleepovers with my friends because I would much rather be with my friends than with my parents. This becomes tricky because the idea of adolescents hanging out alone together is scary to adult, but also very beneficial is developing a new and better way of thinking while attaining new social skills.

My mom once told me, "Abby if you only look towards the negatives in people, you are going to be one bitter person." This statement holds so true to anybody parenting, working, or interacting with adolescence. If adults choose to understand and appreciate this stage, they learn adolescence can actually compliment them well.

Blog #1

I grew up in a family of five children. The older four of us all were born in a span of six years. So yes, at one point my parents had to deal with 4 teenagers. Bless their hearts. Daniel J. Siegel gives us a new perspective on the years of adolescence. There is a social stigma about teenagers nowadays in society saying they are "lazy," "out of control," "moody," or "just going through a phase." Siegel seeks to break that stigma in his book Brainstorm.

He talks first about the three main myths that people believe about teenagers. First, that their raging hormones cause them to be the way they are. Second, that adolescent years are simply a time of immaturity. Third, that during the time of adolescence teens must stop depending on their parents and become independent. Growing up and hearing other talk about teenagers, these myths are a common way of thinking. I appreciate how Siegel uses science to back up his argument but also makes it personal as he is raising two adolescent boys.

He gives us a positive image on the stage of adolescence. While others view it as a time of immaturity he finds the beauty in their curiosity and emotional intensity. Because the brain is developing so fast emotions run so high. This can bring many tears, but also bring so much joy of life. One of my sister just turned 15. When he talks about the way people interact with adolescence, I am able to see this even in my sister. She has teachers that treat her like she is 12. Other teachers she has treat her like she is a mature adult, and she does better in those classes. I find this so interesting because he gives us positive insight to what teens can bring to the world contrary to what the majority of society thinks of teenagers.