Photo: Kamira (Shutterstock)
The day-to-day obstacles of adolescence are ridiculous compared to grown-ass adult problems, but as satisfying as it might seem in the moment, it does not help to tell your teen things like, “You think you have problems? Try paying a mortgage.”
Unless you know otherwise, don’t assume your kid is overstating their reactions the drama and angst of adolescence. Sure, the devastating, world-ending fight with their best friend will probably be forgotten in a couple days, but the emotions your teen is feeling are real. “Wow, that must feel awful,” is a much better response than, “Pfft, big deal.”
It comes down to having empathy, and remembering what it felt like when you were a teenager. That’s the key to avoiding most of these mistakes, by the way.
