Fill in the blank with a suitable word GROWING PAINS The teenage years are often a challenging and difficult time for parents, presenting them with the problem of how to maintain their children's respect and obedience, but at the (1) …………………… time, allow their independence to increase. It's quite normal (2) ……………………children to be disobedient in some way, as they too probably find it an awkward and confusing time. Generally, it's best to treat defiance calmly though, unless it's causing serious (3) …………………… at home or school. Two things that parents should try to avoid doing (4) ……………………their teenagers are, firstly to become much (5) …………………… strict, and secondly, to try to be 'one of the kids'. Both these things (6) ……………………only create bigger divisions and differences. The key lies (7) …………………… keeping up good levels of communication on (8) …………………… sides. Parents need to learn (9) …………………… to let their teenager know (10) ……………………they disapprove of something, (11) …………………… being so critical or negative that their child feels ignored or pushed away. (12) ……………………angry or sarcastic rarely works; it only invites more of the same kind of behaviour from the child.