Teach your teen how to create emotional wellness.
Fall is a busy time of year for teens. They are completing college applications, writing papers, and taking midterms. Add in all the other demands on their time: managing sports, volunteering, and coping with social drama, and it’s like they are in a virtual pressure cooker.
When teens feel overwhelmed, not good enough, stressed, and exhausted they often find relief playing video games, scrolling mindlessly through social media, or partying. Watching them “numb out” can be frustrating.
What if you could give your child relief in a healthier way?
It starts with checking in and asking: “How are you feeling?”
Encourage them to identify and express what’s going on inside of them.
Resist the urge to fix the situation or minimize their feelings by saying, “You’re fine.” This sends the message that it’s not okay to experience their emotions and it makes them less likely to share them with you in the future.
When you take the time to sit and listen, without judging or trying to change their feelings, you create a safe space for them to process their emotions.
Responding this way may feel unfamiliar. Most of us were not raised by parents who took our emotional temperature.
Responding this way may feel uncomfortable. It’s hard to watch your child suffer.
But suffering is part of the human experience. Anxiety, disappointment, and overwhelm happens to everyone, at every stage of life.
When you allow your child to express difficult feelings and validate them, they learn how to process their emotions, and they feel your love and compassion.
This act of kindness also fosters trust and connection.
Positively impact your teen’s life by teaching them emotional wellness. This will help them to manage stressful situations, not just during high school and college, but for the rest of their lives.
Your Coach,
Jeanine
P.S. Are you ready for a parenting partner to help you through these challenging years? Schedule a call HERE. Let’s chat.
