Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your child during this time:

Be honest and direct with your teen when talking about sensitive subjects such as drugs, drinking, smoking, and sex.
Meet and get to know your teen’s friends.
Show an interest in your teen’s school life.
Help your teen make healthy choices while encouraging him to make his own decisions.
Respect your teen’s opinions and take into account her thoughts and feelings. It is important that she knows you are listening to her.
When there is a conflict, be clear about goals and expectations (like getting good grades, keeping things clean, and showing respect), but allow your teen input on how to reach those goals (like when and how to study or clean).