Don’t Dismiss Feelings

No one wants to see their teenager upset, so we often utter the words, “It’s not that bad,” to reassure ourselves, not to dismiss our child’s feelings. But that’s how teenagers hear it. Instead, the first step is to agree that the problem is real. The next step is to tell your teenager that you believe they are up to the task when it comes to solving the problem. Finally, let them know that you support them and will do anything you can to help. When teenagers hear that their problems are real AND solvable, they build resilience.

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