A GREAT read for Parents, teachers, counselors... anyone interacting with teens today. The teen experience and how we can support them. So compelling, if we can take the time to really listen to what our teens are going through.
Q. If at times your Parents don’t really
understand things and what you’re going through, what do you want them to
know?
A. I appreciate how much you care about me and I
know that you want to be involved in my life.
I know how to behave and I would like more independence.
A. Please just try to
listen and gain perspective instead of lecturing or telling me about how things
were for you.
A. I’m trying my best to do everything to the
best of my abilities… but sometimes I just can’t.
A. I want you to know that I have bad social
anxiety and its effecting my actions and what I do and don’t do.
A. Sometimes your too strict about little
things. You don’t trust me even though
I’ve never given you a reason not to.
Please be more understanding.
A. Kids may experiment with drugs and alcohol
and may become addicted, and you may not know it.
Q. What is a good way for Parents to respond
and/or start a conversation with you AND respond to you?
A. “Hey… how’s it going? If you ever need to talk I am here for you.” If they would talk to me like this…. It makes
me feel like they actually want to listen and hear what I have to say.
A. “Hey, how was your day? How are you feeling?”
A. “How is ____________
going?” “How are you feeling about
________?” “Is there anything I can do
to help you with _____________?”
A. “Did anything happen at school today?”
A. “I know that you’re a good kid…..”
A. Just say “Hi.” When I get home not a whole
lot of conversation. Start that a little
later after I’ve had some time to just be home.
A. “I understand you are a teenager and a lot of
things are happening around you right now.”
A. “How do you feel today?” “OK… I will get you help so you don’t feel
like this anymore.”
Q. What’s it like to be a teen today? Describe your teen experience…the good, the
bad, what it's like for you?
A. Being a teen today is hard. But it can also be so much fun. I’ve found that with all the drugs and
alcohol going on around me, it’s a challenge to hold true to my morals and
refrain from following the crowd. And, I
imagine that’s how many people my age feel.
But I also feel that being a teen can be fun, new and exciting when you
find the right people to surround yourself with.
A. It is very hard with all the pressure to do the right thing and to prepare for your future. It is also very
stressful to do things for fun with all the school work we have. Then there is the extreme social pressure to
fit in with everyone.
A. It’s rough.
People are not as nice or honest as they should. School is hard. People just need to be kinder to each
other.
A. It’s a high-pressure roller coaster. You can feel on top of the world. The suddenly feel like you are in the
pit. The added stress of school, sports
and extras make it that much harder.
A. If we’re involved in a bunch of activities it
gets overwhelming and tough. Sometimes
the best way to avoid social pressures and anxiety it to just NOT go to some of
the school/social events at all.
A. Being a teenager today takes the courage to
say no to our generations norms (vaping, sexting, drugs).
A. There is a LOT of peer pressure for all
sorts of things (drugs, alcohol, vapes).
A. Peer pressure. Very high expectations from everyone, and
trying to be “cool”.
A. Being a teen today is
awesome! School, sports, and clubs are
all demanding and thinking about my future is stressful, but fun is still
fun! Like when we’re just hanging out
with friends, listening to music, going to the movies… just being with our
friends J
Q. What do you
need that you are not getting from someone, whether it’s your Parents,
Peers/Friends, or the Schools/Community?
A. Sometimes I need to talk to my Parents about
things but I feel they won’t understand.
So, I just feel I need to try to be more open and understanding to what
I’m going through and what I am sharing with them.
A. Parents need to be more understanding of what
their kids are going through. I think
they need to listen to their kids more and not just lecture and punish them.
A. I need everyone to understand that is it so
hard to be a teenager today and I wish that they would all be more supportive.
A. What I think I need is for everyone else to
be informed about the dangers of smoking, marijuana and vaping. And, then to act on
that knowledge.
A. I want our schools to educate students about
the harm of vape. A vape assembly with
scientific evidence would be effective in middle and high schools.
A. More leadership advice on college
preparation, college life and applications, testing, essays, etc.
A. I would like to be listened to and for people
to actually listen to my problems and then help me to resolve them.
Q. What do you think is the biggest teen issue
today?
A. The biggest issue I believe would have to be
the drugs and partying. Teens fall into
it because there is so much pressure but also many parents aren’t disciplining their
kids.
A. I think mental health
issues, specifically the fear of failure on many levels. And, substance abuse of vapes and drinking is
also a big problem with teens right now.
A. Vaping.
A. We are greatly influenced by the music we
listen to and by the strong urge to fit in with our peers.
A. Mental health and anxiety. We have a LOT of pressure and too often kids
turn to substances to “let loose”. We
can prevent that with better support.
A. Many teens today smoke weed and are using
vapes and they think this it this is not harmful.
A. Extreme stress from
school. Parents and friends leads to drug and alcohol use.
A. I feel like mental health is an issue that
people don’t talk much about. I also
feel that adults don’t understand how hard it is to go to school every day and
then do everything else (work, sports, church, activities, etc.)
Q. What is your primary influence to be
drug-free? How do you think you are able
to stay true to that with so much pressure?
A. I personally feel I don’t need that in my
life because I want to stay healthy and in control. I feel that I can have fun without drugs or
alcohol and that I would regret doing it.
A. I think it’s really myself. I want to do well
in the future -- I don’t want my life to go down-hill.
A. My influence to be
drug-free is to protect my body.
A. I chose a friend group that doesn’t care what
others think as much. And, I stay away
from drugs because I know that things would only get worse in my future.
A. My Parents showing me that I can have fun
without substances.
A. I care about my future.
A. I know that everything is temporary. I want to make the most of my time and keep a
clear mindset.
A. I see other people my age making poor
decisions and it influences me.
A. My influence is knowing what it leads
to. And also seeing what the people I love
went through.
Q. What is something that you will work towards
or focus on?
A. Learning to overcome academic challenges.
A. A strong focus on the things that really
matter in life.
A. Making my school a safer place.
#Parentslistentoyourteens
#teensneedsupport
#communicationiskey
#listentalkdon'tlecturelisten
#youthinaction
#teamyab
#livedrugfree
#Whatsyourinfluence
No comments:
Post a Comment