Mental health in a young person is a hard thing to balance and manage. I’ve always told my kids that from the age of 12 on it’s like entering a very dark tunnel. Many times you won’t be able to see the light at the end, but it’s always there if you walk straight towards it. Nothing lasts forever.
You can understand how difficult it is for some kids to not stray from that line with all the distractions. It’s like a highway with billboards on both sides trying to lure you in. Some of the signs invite them to drink, some to do drugs. Others are offers of friendshi[s from peers who break the law and hurt others or even run away. You can’t go with them on this journey, but you can watch them and offer advice.
With the start of school, as a parent I think you need to face a few truths and be aware of some of the obvious pitfalls.
- Don’t assume that because you know your child you also know how they behave in front of other kids. They may be a little or totally different. Don’t be the parent who denys without knowing, always saying, Not my kid, my kid would never do something like that. Try to observe them when they are with their friend and don’t know they’re being watched.
- Do not be blind to your child’s own social standing, Let’s be honest, you know if your kid is popular or a nerd, a bully or a victim.
- Take a close look at your child’s friends. They will become the kind of people they hang around with. Kids seek acceptance more from their peers than you.
- If your kid starts having trouble with others, document everything. The date, time, location, and description of the occurrence along with any witnesses to the event.
- Know where they are and what they’re doing at all times. They don’t like it than don’t leave the house.
- Be responsible for what’s going on in your homes. Let’s not give into ” it’s my private room, you have no right to look into it ” , because guess what? The room is legally yours not theirs and your are held responsible for what’s in it. Don’t cry later that you didn’t know there were guns or bombs hidden their. It may sound far fetched but you don’t want to be that one family it happens to.
Don’t let things drag on till they get real bad. Help your child to solve problems as they occur. School should be fun not a war zone.