One day they want to be as famous as Justin Bieber is – maybe go his way. The next day just being a fisherman will suffice and maybe a few days later after parents start looking quite desperate they may condescend to consider becoming good engineers. Their minds flit from one career goal to another. In the vast world of opportunities that lies before them, they start thinking and forming ideas of what they intend to be in future.

Parents may also notice that one small setback completely destroys their self esteem. Keeping their confidence levels up and continually talking to them about their strengths can prevent the process of acute despondency from setting in.

They have ideas and want their views to be considered and taken seriously. They like their hands to be shaken as with other adults and given equal importance as other adults are given. They like being asked their advice on matters and turn very sensitive. Preteens are struggling between being babies and small adults and are a slightly confused lot.

These young boys are metamorphosing into young men. They are watching adults and learning to be like them. They are about to fly and take their plunge in the world. We should encourage them to develop, form and value their opinions. This is an age when they will be slowly creating an image of themselves and must develop a positive one. They should be encouraged to think and act independently as this will make them more confident and secure. They will be able to take decisions and stand by them. Everything that they do at this age is to gain respect in the eyes of parents and adults. One must be very careful while criticizing them. At the same time they must be told very convincingly and gently what their negative points or faults are so that they do not develop a bloated opinion of themselves. As parents we just need to take a step back and support them, guide them carefully if they falter, steer them away gently if they take the wrong path and lead them on to teenage-then adulthood. They will then have a very eventful and secure life.