Friendship is complex, just like family relationships. There are many layers of needs, preferences, pressures, expectations, and ambiguities to navigate. I have 5 strategies for talking to teens about friendship. These drive meaningful dialogue and invite your teen to develop their sense of empowerment.
Considering how important your own parents’ model was on your own relationships, realize that your relationships are similarly powerful models that are currently being built in your child’s mind.
It serves everyone in the family system when we choose to focus on repairing harm, rather than defaulting to punishments.
What does the moment of "I can't" look like for you? Having a tough afternoon, day, or week, is normal; it’s a part of the human experience! It’s a normal part of being a parent and leading your family. It’s a normal part of being a teen and searching for your place in the world. Yet, our society has trained us to hide or ignore emotions. We are often taught to disconnect from our emotions, to disregard them, or to hide them. Being with our sensations in intentional, compassionate ways enables and empowers us to move towards healing and personal growth. Try these 3 Ways of Getting Out of an "I Can't" Belief.
