When your teen starts focusing on their peer relationships it can be painful and confusing. But I promise you, it's not rejection.
The teenage brain is wired to focus on new relationships and to use this stage of life to begin the process of a deeper and more specific self identity.
They need us to remain calm and do everything we can to understand what they are feeling and not take it personally.
Because those peer relationships are complex and will come with their own set of pain and disappointment for our children. They need us sturdy and available as a secure base to return to when the weather out in their world gets stormy. It's not helpful if we are another storm they have to weather.
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This video offers guidance on how parents can help their kids learn about conflict resolution through setting boundaries and offering compassion towards both parties, emphasizing the importance of safety and boundaries, effective communication, and moving to repair in conflict situations.
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Engage with your teen by giving them airtime and genuine curiosity to share their perspectives, allowing them to feel heard and seen, which will make them respect you more and see you as an ally in their maturing process.
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In this video, you'll learn how to guide children when they have hurt someone, by connecting with them about their feelings, modeling empathy for the person impacted, and collaborating with them to make repairs, as empathy is learned through receiving empathy and being surrounded by empathetic models.
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