What Parents Need to Know – Only the Tip of the Iceberg

Parents – sometimes you can only see the tip of the iceberg – what your child initially presents to you. There are so many things we all deal with throughout the day, but ADDYTeens may not be able to articulate or even identify what their feeling as best as a typical kid.

Emotions can stir up during school or they may be off their game during drills at practice, but all you can tell is that their on edge when you ask them to put their dishes away. You want to steer your kid to success, but you also don’t want them to give up before trying because there is tension.

Have you ever heard the saying, “the straw that broke the camel’s back?” Sometimes it takes just one small thing to tip you over in emotional turmoil, or turn your good mood into a funk. We’ve all been there. ADDYTeens may come home from a day at school, soccer practice, or emerge from their room even, and have a world of ideas and emotions derived from the day that have made them on edge.

A small comment from a parent or sibling may throw your kid into mayhem, and now you’ve got a fire to put out. A fight over dishes, often times, is not about the dishes. Small hiccups throughout the day can build up like a pot of boiling water.

• Slow things down.
• Ask how their day went
• Ask about their assignments, their friends, and feelings.
• Give space for them to talk.
• Let them take a break when needed.

ADDYTeens must learn and then practice controlling and identifying their emotions, communicating, advocating for their needs, to be able to effectively break down what their feeling. This takes practice and time. Having them slow down or take time aside to melt the ice is important so they can feel better and be productive.