Imagine the last time you argued with your teen. There could be a million different situations that prompt an argument, but most follow a similar pattern. You and your teen probably disagreed about something, and each of you was probably trying to prove that your perspective was the right one. Consider the following fictitious example of an argument between Diane and her daughter, Laura. Notice any similarities between their exchange and a typical argument with your teen.

In the previous blog, you learned how the cycle of anxiety works and how to recognize it when it shows up in your life. Now it’s important to build insight and skills to break the cycle by doing something different than what anxiety wants you to do…

Anxiety often feels overpowering, for the person who experiences it and for the parent who witnesses their teen or young adult struggle. 

As a parent, it can feel confusing — even jarring — to watch your sweet, snuggly child suddenly morph into someone who seems to roll their eyes at everything you say.

They slam doors. They cry harder than you expect over things that seem small. They question every rule. They want space. Lots of it.

There’s a moment that hits harder than you expect.

The moment your child stops asking for hugs.

The moment the jokes get an eye roll instead of a laugh.

The moment you feel like you’re tiptoeing just to keep the peace.

It’s not that you’re afraid of your teen.