How to help your Gen Z kid cope with their back-to-school emotions

Teen Emotions

Teenagers today face a complex emotional landscape, balancing happiness with stress and anxiety. Lisa Damour explains that intense emotions are a normal part of adolescent development and not necessarily a cause for concern 1. She emphasizes that mental health involves managing emotions appropriately, rather than avoiding negative feelings 2.

Mental health is about having feelings that fit what's happening and managing those feelings well.

--- Lisa Damour

Parents should focus on how their teens cope with these emotions, ensuring they use healthy strategies to navigate their ups and downs 2.

   

Coping Skills

Lisa Damour advises parents to "embrace the eye roll" as a sign of teenagers' compliance and independence 3. She highlights the importance of giving teens space to develop their own coping mechanisms, such as listening to music or playing video games to manage stress 4.

The goal is to help them understand that mistakes are inevitable.

--- Lisa Damour

By respecting their need for autonomy, parents can support their children's emotional growth and resilience 4.