Tzeadim › By age
12–18 years
Gross motor
- Strength training 3×/week (from 15)
Supervised, technique first, bodyweight → light weights; builds peak bone mass that lasts a lifetime.
Self care
- Acne: wash gently, don't scrub
A gentle cleanser up to twice a day and after sweating, fingertips only; scrubbing makes it worse. Not improving? Ask the doctor.
- Travels by bus/train alone
Rav-Kav, route planning, what to do if the phone dies — practised with you first.
- Runs their own schedule
Knows what is due when, sets their own alarm, and packs their own bag.
- Own bank account and a monthly budget
A youth account from 14–16, a card, and a fixed allowance they manage for clothes/going out.
- Babysitting, then a first job
Babysitting from about 13–14; in Israel paid work is allowed from 14 in holidays and 15 during the school year, with limits.
- First-aid course (16)
A CPR/first-aid course before driving and army; MDA youth volunteering is a great route.
- Driving lessons and license (16.5 → 17)
Theory from 16, lessons from 16.5, test from 17; then an accompanied-driver period with night restrictions.
Sleep
- Teen sleep: 8–10 hours
Biology shifts the clock later; protect it: phone out of the bedroom, no caffeine after 14:00, consistent wake time.
- Teens: a fixed wake time
The teen body clock shifts ~2 hours later; a fixed wake time and weekend catch-up of ≤2 hours keep it from drifting further.
- Teens and caffeine: little, early, no energy drinks
Current consensus: no caffeine under 18; if any, keep it under ~100 mg and before early afternoon. Energy drinks — never.
Health
- Yearly mood and anxiety check (12–18)
Depression screening from 12 at the well visit; keep a weekly 'how are you really' ritual at home.
- Periods: what is normal and what to ask about
In the first two years cycles run 21–45 days and are often irregular. Pain that stops life is not normal.
- Puberty that starts very early or very late
Signs before 8 in girls or 9 in boys, or none by 13 and 14, are worth an endocrinology opinion.
- Sealants on the second molars
The second permanent molars come in around 12 and benefit from sealing, like the six-year ones did.
- Treat acne before it scars
Effective treatment exists and works best early. Scarring is permanent; acne is not.
- Tdap booster (8th grade)
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster at school in 8th grade; next booster every 10 years as an adult.
- HPV — 2 doses (8th grade, girls and boys)
Prevents cervical, throat and other cancers; given at school, two doses 6 months apart. Free catch-up at the health bureau if missed.
- Stop using children's medicine doses
Once a teenager passes about 40–50 kg, children's syrups and weight-based doses no longer fit.
- Pre-army medical (tzav rishon) prep
Gather medical records (allergies, asthma, orthopedics, mental health) before the first call-up at 16.5–17.
- Wisdom teeth assessment
One x-ray between 16 and 18 shows whether the wisdom teeth have room.
Safety
- Front seat only from 13
Airbags are designed for adults; back seat is 40% safer for children under 13.
Play & learning
- Teens: read something you chose
Most days, any format — books, comics, audiobooks, their pick entirely; enjoyment is what tracks with skill, not assigned pages.
For the parent
- Vaping, smoking, alcohol and drugs — first talks (11–13)
Before exposure: facts without drama, an exit plan ('text me X and I'll pick you up, no questions'), and your own example.
- Consent, relationships and sex education (12–14)
Consent, contraception, STIs, porn vs reality, sexting and the law (105 hotline). Ongoing, not one talk.
- Fade out homework help (by 14)
From checking every day to being available on request; the teen owns deadlines and consequences.
- Written parent–teen driving agreement
Phone in the glovebox, passengers limit, no night driving in the first months, zero alcohol, 'call me, no questions'.