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Isn't research cool? This neuroscience study really validates what so many teen parents are feeling....a shift away from their child's interest in the parent relationship and towards peers.
This doesn't mean they have stopped needing you, or relying on you (especially in those big overwhelming moments), but that they are developing a new set of experiences necessary for their eventual launch.
Hang in there. Even if it's a brain based shift, it isn't easy!
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mom-voice-kid-brain-teen-neuroscience
The idea of toughening up your children to deal with the world only makes you their first bully, stripping them of their sense of belonging with you; treat your children with respect and connection so that they instinctively protect themselves from unkind and cruel treatment.
A message to all fathers: keep going with your efforts to connect with your children because they desperately need to see what a healthy, connected, caring male looks like, and it will create a secure attachment that fosters resilience.
Gain valuable insights into understanding and supporting your highly sensitive child with practical advice and strategies that address their unique needs, while also taking care of yourself as a parent.