Making Sense Of Troubled Teenagers (And How To Support Them)

Making Sense Of Troubled Teenagers (And How To Support Them)

When we first become parents, we usually think we’ve got over the worst of things after the “terrible twos.” The trouble is, parenting a teenager is almost beyond compare in that respect!

As children grow older and start finding their feet in the world, they’ll make all kinds of mistakes. Most of them are ones that are trivial in the grand scheme of things. But, there can sometimes be bad choices made by teenagers that are tougher to resolve.

If you’re the parent of a troubled teenager and feel like you’re at your wit’s end, you’re not alone. Many parents have been in the same situation as you and thankfully have come through it on the other side. There’s no reason why you can’t either!

Take a look at these inspirational steps to help your teenage son or daughter motivate themselves to change for the better:

Ensure your child knows they have your unconditional love

“Teenagers will never test you,” said no-one ever! When your offspring is at the lowest point in their life, make sure you are there for them. They need to know that you love them and are willing to help them get back up again after they’ve fallen.

Yes, teenagers will sometimes put their parents through hell. And, yes, you might feel like launching them into outer space. But, your unconditional love will boost their self-worth and help them turn things around.

It’s okay to be their friend, as well as their parent

You were once a teenager, and you’ll no doubt remember how tough things were for you at times. Your teenage son or daughter will be going through similar things that you did.

What can make a difference is being there for them not just as a parent, but as a friend too? You are a person they trust the most in this world. Let them know that you’re there for them through thick and thin, just like any good friend would.

Help them get the support they need to beat addictions

It’s a sad statistic that some parents will have to help their teenage sons or daughters through an addiction. Peer pressure or the “fear of missing out” can often cause teenagers to cross the line. And when that happens, you need to be there to pull them back.

It’s easy for parents to play the blame game with their kids. However, it’s sometimes hard to just listen to what their children have to say.

See Also
Untitled design(135)

Whatever their addiction, you should be there to help them on their journey to recovery. But don’t make it easy for them to feed their addiction.

For example, it’s a bad idea to give your child money, knowing full well it’s for drugs or alcohol. Instead, it’s a good idea to drive them to a heroin addiction treatment center or an AA meeting, for instance.

Don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional

One final thought to ponder is seeking the help of a professional. There’s no shame or anything wrong with getting outside help with a family problem. In fact, your child will thank you for reaching out to an authoritative figure.

People like therapists can be a welcome lifeline to both parents and children in times of trouble.

 

What's Your Reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0

COPYRIGHT 2022 WHATUTALKINGBOUTWILLIS.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Scroll To Top