Acknowledge the Problem

There are times in life to channel Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar, but this period requires parents to tell the truth: Teens need to hear you acknowledge that things are hard right now. Instead of pretending that everything is fine, admit that the situation may increase nervousness and tension in the people around them. Let them know that it’s common for people to become more tense when their space is limited or their routine is upended. And once you’ve acknowledged, also let them know you’ll navigate the tension as a family team.

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