Tuesday Teaching!

Being a teenager is not a picnic.

The idea for this weeks Tuesday Teaching came from a FB post I saw yesterday. The post itself was full of what most would consider teenage angst and could easily be written off as such. I want all of us to take a step back in time and put ourselves in the shoes of a teenager because I think we all forget what it was like!

Teenagers are young adults who are just realizing their own autonomy in their thoughts, opinions, and actions. This may be difficult to handle as they learn how to navigate the world and new found independence. Teenagers are dealing with emotional highs and lows on a daily basis depending on their life and/or social situation. The transition into adulthood  is scary and exciting all at the same time. In addition to all of that, they are dealing with hormonal changes; these changes can bring a whole boatload of issues even for the most well adjusted teen!

They need empathy and support not judgement and condemnation. They need unconditional love and respect, not hurtful comments and invalidation. They need compassion and not indifference.

Can we do this while making sure they understand the decisions they make today can have long term consequences and hold them accountable?? YES

How can we? In short, listening without judgement. Being open about your own experiences as a teen, reassuring them that all they are going through is normal and if there are behaviors that seem indicative of psychological or substance abuse issues seek the help they need and make sure they know what you are doing is out of care and love for them.

Finally,  I want to say I have a teenager and I work with teenagers everyday. I understand how difficult the dance can be! You are not alone!!