The dos and don’ts of getting troublesome teenagers
CHILDREN’S charity Barnardo’s knows a thing or two about teenagers and is offering some useful online advice for parents, especially those with teenage children.
Barnardo’s director Sarah Crawley, says: “If you’re struggling to keep your teenager in the house and sticking to lockdown rules know that you’re definitely not alone.”
As well as identifying the struggles and what doesn’t help, the online support includes advice on how parents and carers can support teenagers,. It also provides information of other organisations that can offer more support.
THINGS THAT DON’T HELP
■ Threatening to call the police: This makes teenagers feel like you don’t care about how
they are feeling and how hard it is for them.
■ Claiming they will get fines/arrested: Threats can increase their already high anxiety levels.
■ Saying the neighbours will get angry: This makes teenagers feel alienated in their own homes.
■ Threatening or taking their tech away: This may be their main coping strategy and way of connecting, and will increase their feelings of isolation.
THINGS THAT MAY HELP
■ Check in regularly to see how they are doing: Intervening early is important.
■ Go for a walk together: Getting outside of the house together is a good way to get them active, as well as connecting with them, or just being quiet together.
■ Help them keep in touch: Help teens to organise closed social media groups for those people they are closest to.
■ Give them space: Make sure your child gets some confidential private space when they’re at home, as well as time away from