A Note From The L.A. Teen Therapist
It’s often difficult for teens whose parents have split apart. Read on for helpful tips. – Sandra
A teen doesn’t like the feeling that he or she must act as a messenger between hostile parents. Adolescents want parents to talk with each other so that the messages are communicated the right way, and don’t feel like they are going to mess up. It is unfair to make your teen carry messages to your “ex” because you find it too awkward or aggravating to do so yourself.
Avoid arguing and discussing child support issues in front of your teen. Most teens upon hearing these things feel that their existence is a burden on their parents. Do not put your teen in the middle of your child support disputes.
It hurts your teen very much to hear one loved parent criticize the other loved parent. When teens hear bad things about one parent, they hear bad things about half of themselves. Even if you are sure you’re right, try to avoid criticizing the other parent around your kids.
DESTRUCTIVE REMARKS THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID:
- You’re lazy/stubborn/bad tempered, just like your mother/father.
- Your mother/father put you up to saying that.
- Your dad/mom doesn’t love any of us or he/she wouldn’t have left us.
- You can’t trust her/him.
- He/she was just no good.
- If she/he loved you, she/he would send your support checks on time.
- Someday you’ll leave me too, just like your father/mother.
All of these remarks raise fear and anxiety in your teen.
It is very difficult for the teen of divorced parents to cope with feeling “caught in the middle.” If they want to tell you about time spent with their other parent (and they usually don’t), listen closely and politely, and then stop. Encourage your teen to love both parents.
Asking your teen to take your side in any situation regarding your ex-spouse can create a tremendous amount of stress for your teen. Your teen wants to love both of his or her parents. Avoid putting teens in the position of having to take sides.
Complaining to your teen about how lonely you feel makes them feel guilty and sad. It’s not healthy for a teen to be consumed with worry for their parents’ ability to survive. Let your teen be a teenager.
Your teen will have the best chance of growing up to be a functional young person with access to both parents as role models and nurturers. This means that there should be some way of them having access to the good each parent has to offer.”
(Acknowledging Ruben Francia)
Worried About Your Teen? FREE Initial Consultation.
For more information, please visit my website:
SandraDupont.com
Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor
Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.