Parenting Teens with a CHD: A Targeted Toolkit

Ages 13 - 17 Years

Parents are a child's first and most important teachers and therapists. This collection of resources highlights the many ways parents and other caregivers can promote healthy development in their teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Two teen girls with long black hair and congenital heart defects (CHDs) sit side by side in front of a couch and smile for a selfie.

Cognitive (thinking and understanding)

Teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) still have developing brains, and parents and caregivers can use these strategies to help them develop their skills in thinking, learning, and problem-solving.

A dad and his teen son, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), stand on a beach as the father shows the son how to play ping pong.

Motor and movement

Even as their bodies reach maturity, teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can still develop physical strength and skills. These activities can help.

A mom with brown hair and a white shirt sits on a bed, cuddling her young daughter who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), a gray shirt, and dark bangs.

Attachment

Regardless of their child's age, parents can always work to build a more secure parent-child attachment. Secure attachments help children to develop strong social and emotional skills.

Two teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sit cross-legged on the floor next to a window, playing foosball.

Social

Even though teens are often highly focused on their peers, parents and other caregivers can still do a lot to build their social skills and social understanding.

A dad and his daughter, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) sit on a wooden floor in front of a big window, both playing the guitar.

Emotions

Teens often need guidance and support in learning to express and manage their emotions, and to understand and respond to other people's emotions. Parents can use these strategies to help them.

A little girl with a red shirt and short blond hair and a congenital heart defect (CHD) lies on her stomach on a bed, playing on her computer.

Hospital stays

Parents and caregivers can use these strategies to help children to cope with hospital stays, and to continue learning and having fun.

Sleep

Kids with heart defects sometimes have sleep schedules or sleep habits that do not work well within their families. Parents can use these strategies to make things better.

A middle school boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) has curly black hair, a white shirt, shorts, and sneakers and stands on a bike path.

Middle school learning

These strategies and activities can help middle school students to make progress in their learning while they are at home.

A girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a black T-shirt and has her head resting on her textbook on a table.

High school learning

These activities can help parents and other family members to support high schoolers in their learning at home.

Two women stand on a grassy hillside with their son, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), and is squatting on the ground petting a dog.

Mental health

Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes struggle with mental health challenges, but parents and other caregivers can always help them to feel better.

A mom with a tan shirt and black braids holds her little girl, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and is wearing a cream colored shirt, in a field of grass.

Behavior

These strategies can help parents and other caregivers to feel confident in managing children's challenging behaviors in a way that promotes their mental health and sense of well-being.

Two teen boys with congenital heart defects (CHDs) walk down a suburban street, talking and gesturing.

Language

Caregivers can use these strategies to help teens to continue to develop more complex language and communications skills.