Teenage Independence: what’s the right amount?
Teenagers, or adolescents, tend to distance themselves from their parents as they enter adolescence. The drive for teenage independence is a normal part of their development.
Teenagers, or adolescents, tend to distance themselves from their parents as they enter adolescence. The drive for teenage independence is a normal part of their development.
Sometimes when kids get into school fights, once it’s over they get over it quickly. Other times there may be bigger issues.
Therapy groups give a teen access to social support in a setting where they are not being bullied. Being an environment where a kid feels supported and understood, they are more likely to reach out for the help they need
Self esteem troubles for teens are really common. Almost every teen struggles with how they look. We as parents can relate. Everyone has got something about the way they look that they just don’t like. But we can’t exactly change the way we look, so what do we do?
If your kid is struggling to self advocate, don’t despair! Self advocacy is one of those life skills for teens that most parents become concerned with at some point.
The need for external affirmation and validation to define one’s self worth is not uncommon. It affects children as well as adults, and most people experience it at some point in their lives. What teens have now in social media however is a false and extreme measure of self worth based on how many “likes” or followers they have.
Getting past the headaches of time management for teens requires a shift in perspective for parents.
Digital devices are nothing more than the equivalent of a digital pacifier that distracts kids from dealing with their real issues. Device dependency inhibits a teens ability to develop coping skills and strategies for dealing with the real world. And just like the pacifier, it’s going to be hard to take away!
So you say you don’t have the time and money for your own self care? We hear this from busy parents all the time. Focusing on your kids and being a parent is a lot of work. But the fact that you’re saying you don’t have resources to take care of your own emotional well being is a sign that something is out of balance.
It’s really important that your kids feel connected to you!