TEENAGERS

As your child navigates their teenage years this can be a time of growth for both children and parents. This is a great time to learn reflective listening, letting go and holding space…

You’ve made it through all the other stages of development and now you have a teenager. If you haven’t been triggered by your childs’ behaviour yet then the teenage years might have some surprises in store for you.

Teens are fun, complicated, strong willed, independent young souls. It may seem like there is a push - pull effect in your relationship with your teen. One moment they want you around, the next moment they want nothing to do with you. At this point in their lives their peers become a very important part of their lives and they can feel conflicted between family and peer relationships.

  • Are you struggling to understand your teen?

  • Is your teen making some questionable decisions or participating in risky behaviours?

  • Do you find yourself constantly in conflict with your teen even though you try to be understanding?

  • Are you finding it hard to talk to your teen or don’t know how to approach certain subjects?

  • Are you feeling isolated or alone in dealing with your teens changing moods or behaviour?

  • Are you concerned for your teens mental health?

  • Is your teen having issues at school or refusing to do homework?

  • Are you finding that punishments, grounding or threats aren’t working?

A lot of parents find the teen years hard and lonely. In the early years others around us might have similar issues or developmental concerns and we tend to gain support from those on the same journey. Often once our children get to teens, those earlier friendships may have dissolved or we may find ourselves not wanting to share our concerns or problems for fear of judgement of ourselves or our child.

Suddenly our teens are slowly moving away from us and the reality that they will eventually move out on their own path may fill us with a certain dread and anxiety because what will that mean for us?

It’s ok, it’s time to take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back and look forward to reinventing yourself.

But first lets help you navigate these last years by:

  • Learning to hold space when your teen needs to emotionally let go.

  • Learning how to problem solve with your teen on issues such as curfews, friends, school work, social media, technology and behaviour.

  • Keeping the lines of communication open.

  • Learning different ways of connecting with your teen.

  • Remaining understanding, empathetic and open when discussing teen issues.

  • Learning to let go and trust.

  • Learning to calm your own nervous system so that you can give your child what they need.

  • Bringing back the joy, laughter and connectedness into your relationship.

If you would like some support to navigate the teen years please feel free to contact me for a private and confidential 1:1 consult.