It Can Be Lonely Parenting a Teen

by Dr. Kelly Moore, Director of Student Support Services

Much of what we talk about with you all during our coffees, orientations, and parenting events is the change adolescents go through in middle and high school. We normalize their erratic behavior, let you know it is good they are breaking away from you and reassure you that radio silence on the way home from school is not necessarily a sign that your child is under duress. What doesn’t get talked about much, however, is how lonely it can feel to be a parent of a teenager. We definitely try to mitigate that loneliness by creating a parent community that comes together in many ways to celebrate, learn and converse.  But it is just not the same as when our kids are little. I ran across this article and wanted to share it with you all in case it resonates with you. Happy Weekend!

Parenting My Teen Feels Really Lonely Right Now

(article from The Washington Post)