Some people see change as a reason to worry. But in certain situations, it’s actually a cause for celebration.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

Every individual was born with a need for self-expression. And as teens grow and mature, they begin to break away from mom and dad and become their own person.

Individuality expresses itself in many forms, like different clothes, new music, or more time spent with friends. And while parents sometimes find these changes alarming, these little assertions of self are actually healthy signs that your teen is blossoming into an independent adult.

Is your child developing a unique sense of style or pursuing an interesting new hobby? As long as they don’t violate your core beliefs, it’s cause for celebration. And let me be the first to say: Congratulations to the proud parents of an emerging young adult!