We’ve all been one. Some of us entered into young adulthood with more or less scars then others. But usually words that come to us when we think about the teenage years include awkward, identity, changes, and confusion. Thinking about middle school and high school can trigger memories of the crowded hallways, lunchroom decisions, peer-pressure, first relationships, and experimentation. Most of us are thankful we survived. So it’s not surprising that when parents experience their children entering this phase of life, they feel a little helpless. We find ourselves feeling confused all over again.
The things parents wonder about their teens are pretty common:
- I feel like my teen is off but I don’t know why.
- Are they just in a phase or should I be worried?
- What is “normal” for their age?
- My teen spends a lot of time in his/her bedroom.
- Isn’t it just because of their raging hormones?
- I don’t know what is going on with my teen.
- Should I be worried if my teen is “experimenting” with alcohol and drugs?
- My teen complains about being stressed and overwhelmed and I don’t know why.
As I listen to parents ask these questions, one thing becomes clear: no matter who the parents are, they’re probably experiencing difficulty understanding teens. Because of this, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on specific topics related to teens. If you’re having trouble understanding your teen in a particular area, post a comment and I just might write a blog on it. So stay tuned!
Mary Overstreet, LAMFT
moverstreet@ GROWcounseling.com
