If you are a parent or guardian of teenagers, you might have noticed that they are starting to grow more independent and perhaps don’t share with you as much about their lives as they used to. This is a normal part of growing up, and of course, not all teens want to let their parents know about their private lives. While there will be a lot of things you don’t need to worry about, your teenager could also be going through hard times that need your attention.
In a world where social media rules, cyberbullying, peer pressure, feeling bad about body image, and pressure to achieve academically can all take a toll on a young person’s mental and physical well-being. If you want to make sure your teen feels loved and supported, here are some ways you can look out for them.
Praise Their Achievements
If they have got great marks on a school assignment or achieved another goal that they had their minds set on, make sure that you praise them for this. Positive reinforcement will help to boost your teen’s self-esteem and confidence, but it will also show them that you are interested in what they are doing with their lives and care about them, too.
Have Open Discussions About Emotions and Mental Health
It isn’t always easy for people to be forthcoming about how they are feeling, particularly if they are going through a rough patch in life. While you should respect your teen’s privacy and have healthy boundaries, you should also make sure that they know they can talk to you if they want to. Showing them that home is a safe space where they will be supported is key, so having open discussions about mental health issues and ways to manage emotions healthily is important.
Pay Attention to Their Behaviour
While it isn’t uncommon for teenagers to have the occasional mood swing or talk back to you, if you notice a change in their behavior, this could indicate that something isn’t quite right. If they become withdrawn, secretive, appear to be tired more than usual, are agitated, and their appearance is disheveled, or they have bloodshot eyes, it could mean that they are abusing drugs or alcohol. It isn’t uncommon for teenagers to experiment with substances, but it can be very dangerous, and addictions can easily form. If you are concerned, your teen has an addiction, seek medical advice or turn to facilities like igniteteentreatment.com for further support.
Of course, a change in behavior doesn’t necessarily mean that your teenager is addicted to drugs. They might be dealing with a range of other mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or perhaps even struggling with an eating disorder. If you are concerned, you can always speak to their teachers at school to ask if they have been behaving differently in lessons. You can also try to talk to your teen directly, but remember to be patient with them and gently approach this conversation to minimize the risk of it becoming a heated confrontation.
Everyone needs to look after their mental and physical health, but as a parent or guardian, you also have your kids to worry about. If you are raising a teenager, use the tips above to help you look after their well-being at home.
