Raising teenagers is a difficult job as it is. Your child is going through a huge transformational phase of their lives, and more often than not, it is as tough on you as it is on them.
During this transitional phase, your teenage child may develop anxiety. A lot of things can trigger it - peer pressure, bullying, academic stress, trying to live up to expectations, and of course, hormonal changes.
A few things you can do to help them out include:
- Acknowledge their issues. Listen to your child without bias & judgment. Don’t dismiss them saying things like, ‘you’re too young to have anxiety. It is important to make your child aware that you support them.
- Encourage your child to deal with things that cause them anxiety. But don’t push them when they seriously don’t want to. Help them set smaller goals to deal with their anxiety and encourage them to meet those goals.
- Be supportive if they want to avoid a particular situation because it triggers their anxiety. Don’t make a fuss about it.
- Be there for your child. Become their friend and confidante so they open up to you more easily. Talk to them about your experiences as a teenager to show them you empathize with them.
- Seek professional help. A professional therapist or counselor might be better equipped to help your child deal with anxiety.
Mostly, your child needs your support & constant, conscious presence. By acknowledging their anxiety, you give them a safe space where they could be themselves & learn to adopt coping strategies to manage their anxiety.