The one thing your teenager needs from you the most.

​Let's just face it. Navigating adolescence is an exciting but also challenging time for teenagers (and parents!). It's a period of self-discovery, growth, and learning to establish their own identity. Amidst this tumultuous journey, emotional support from parents plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall well-being and resilience. In this blog post, we will explore why teens need their parents' emotional support, as well as the profound impact it can have on their lives.

Teenagers often struggle with expressing their emotions or discussing their concerns openly. As parents, it's crucial to foster a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere. By providing a safe space free of criticism, we enable our teens to share their feelings without fear of rejection or punishment. This supportive environment encourages healthy communication, strengthening the parent-child bond.
Believing in oneself is vital for teenagers' personal development. When parents actively engage in supporting their teens emotionally, it helps boost their self-esteem. By providing encouragement and acknowledging their accomplishments, parents provide reassurance during difficult periods. This support acts as a buffer against self-doubt and empowers teens to face challenges with confidence.
Adolescence is a time of learning emotional regulation and understanding. Parents who provide emotional support play a pivotal role in this journey. By teaching teens to identify and express their emotions effectively, parents equip them with valuable life skills. This emotional intelligence paves the way for healthier relationships, improved mental well-being, and resilience in the face of stress.

The teenage years often witness a rise in mental health challenges. Depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders are becoming alarmingly common among adolescents. Emotional support from parents acts as a protective shield, reducing the risk of mental health issues. By actively listening, validating their emotions, and helping them seek professional help, when necessary, parents play a vital role in safeguarding their teens' mental well-being.

During adolescence, teens often feel compelled to explore their boundaries, take risks, and venture into the unknown. However, without their parents' emotional support, this period of exploration can be overwhelming and excessively risky. By offering guidance, understanding, and emotional reassurance, parents balance the delicate act of allowing teens to explore while still fostering safety and responsible decision-making.

The impact of emotional support from parents on teenagers cannot be overstated. It acts as a guiding light, providing the foundation for their emotional well-being, self-confidence, and personal growth. By cultivating a nurturing environment, fostering healthy communication, and acknowledging their accomplishments, parents can support their teens' journey through adolescence with love and compassion. In doing so, we empower them to become resilient, confident, and well-adjusted individuals who are ready to tackle life's challenges head-on.

When we speak with our teenager, we can practice emotional support in lots of ways. Using validating words is one of those ways to show empathy and understanding. Here are some examples of validating vs. invalidating words:

VALIDATING WORDS TO USE:

•  I too would feel that way if I were in your situation.
• I’m truly sorry you had to deal with…
• I appreciate that you feel comfortable enough to share this with me.
• I know it’s tough to make a choice when you have so many options, and even though I can’t decide for you, I’ll do my best to help you gain some clarity
• I want to make sure I understand this correctly. So, what I’m hearing is that…
•  It must have felt difficult to open up about… Thank you for sharing!
•  Wow, I can understand why you felt…
• That doesn’t sound right/fair/respectful at all. I’m truly sorry you had to deal with…
• Considering everything that you’ve been through, it’s incredible that you’re still…
•  I would probably feel the same way if I were in your situation.
•  Even though I might not fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, I can see that you’re going through a rough patch, and I’m here for you. So tell me what you need.
• Even though I might not fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, I can see that you’re going through a rough patch, and I’m here for you. So tell me what you need.”
• Unbelievable! It angers/disappoints/saddens me to hear that…
•  You might feel like no one understands what you’ve been through, but if you choose to share your story with me, I promise I’ll do my best to hear it.. I’m not an expert in…, but it sounds like you did the best you could.
• Is there any way I can help you with this?
•   If it’s comfortable for you, I would like to hear more about…
•  Yeah, I know exactly how it feels when someone/something is…
•  I think it’s normal to feel… when someone/something is…
•  I’m sorry for… I should have listened more carefully when you told me how you felt.
• How long have you been dealing with this situation?
•  Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?
•  Now that you told me this, I can totally understand why you left…
•  That’s outrageous. Why would someone do such a thing!?
•  Damn, so sorry to hear that. Tell me everything.
•  Don’t worry, we’re going to get through this together.​

INVALIDATING WORDS NOT TO USE: 

• It could be worse.
• You’re too sensitive.
• You’re overreacting.
• You shouldn’t feel that way.
• I know exactly how you feel.
• Just let it go.
• You take everything so personally.
• You make a big deal out of everything.
• I don’t see the problem.
• You shouldn’t be so [any feeling the person has expressed]
• How do you think that makes me feel?
• I don’t want to have this conversation.
• Stop making things up.
• That didn’t happen.

Today's parents can be the parents that break the cycle of not providing what teenagers actually need to become successful adults. It just takes a little practice. Often times we say what we have learned from our parents. It's ok to say "you know what? I don't have to say things that are emotionally invalidating because my parents taught me that. I can do better, and I will do better." 
It just takes practice! You got this!
and learning to establish their own identity. Amidst this tumultuous journey, emotional support from parents plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall well-being and resilience. In this blog post, we will explore why teens need their parents' emotional support, as well as the profound impact it can have on their lives.

NavigatingNavigating adolescence is an exciting but also challenging time for teenagers. It'Navigating adolescence is an exciting but also challenging time for teenagers. It's a period of self-discovery, growth, and learning to establish their own identity. Amidst this tumultuous journey, emotional support from parents plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall well-being and resilience. In this blog post, we will explore why teens need their parents' emotional support, as well as the profound impact it can have on their lives.s a period of self-discovery, growth, and learning to establish their own identity. Amidst this tumultuous journey, emotional support from parents plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall well-being and resilience. In this blog post, we will explore why teens need their parents' emotional support, as well as the profound impact it can have on their lives. adolescence is an exciting but also challenging time for teenagers. It's a period of self-discovery, growth, and learning to establish their own identity. Amidst this tumultuous journey, emotional support from parents plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall well-being and resilience. In this blog post, we will explore why teens need their parents' emotional support, as well as the profound impact it can have on their lives.