What in the world do teens have to be stressed about?

A lot, it turns out! As a former educator and a therapist of many adolescents over the years, I can honestly attest to the fact that stress is not an adult only thing- it’s a human being thing. Our teens are, in my experience, aware of their feelings (and most of the time yours), and wildly enough, this generation of emotionally intelligent or emotionally immature beings are overwhelmed and overstimulated. I notice that adolescents are living in families, active in sports and clubs, connected to an online world on many platforms, and create their own social space in reality, yet most of them feel alone, not chosen, and longing for a bond or connection to others. Despite the availability of communication devices, loneliness is on the rise. Why are our teens so sad and feel so alone? Everywhere we look, someone has an opinion about something. Professionals have much to say about the topic, and still, sadness. I don’t know the answer, and as a professional, former teacher, and mother, that’s disheartening. I know that most parents are doing their best while I’m aware that some could be doing better. Along this imperfect journey as a parent, most of us are just hoping that our children feel loved, have space to feel and be who they are. We hope that they become healthy, decent human beings with successful, happy lives. My therapist brain tells me that correlation can be found among these concerns. We live busy, autopiloted, hectic lives, not allowing ourselves time and space to just be with our kids (no matter the age). So bond, spend time together, get messy while you talk it out, but talk it out thoroughly and let them know you love them in any language or gesture you can muster up. There’s only a limited amount of time within a childhood, plenty of time for mistakes but vast opportunities for magic. Be with them and do the things that make THEM happy, make THEM feel special, and allow them to be themselves and feel raw emotions without losing connection. A wise person once told me, “your children pass through you, but they are not you.” Practice unconditional love by allowing them space to explore who they are and express themselves, as they are the most beautiful blessings we are gifted.