The teenage years are awkward all by themselves. Dealing with physical changes and changes in friendships. First dates and first pimples. Peer pressure and parental pressure. It’s a very volatile time in life. Sometimes teens are very vocal about how they feel. Other times, they can seem okay while they’re emotions are all over the place. If their parents are going through a divorce, it is yet another change. Something else to get used to. In this time, it is important to stay in tune with how they’re feeling – even if they say they’re “fine.”
One thing that can be a help is to maintain a level of consistency in daily routines. If at all possible, keeping with the same school and afterschool regimen can help the adjustment process. It will still be obvious that now mom lives over here and dad lives over there. It is what it is. Life is change. You may as well embrace it. Introduce a new activity that you can do together. Let your teenager help plan the interest with you. It will help the bonding process and it will give your child a sense of control in a time when they don’t feel they have any.
Teenagers tend to think they are more grownup than they are. They are too old to hold your hand to cross the street. And they may not think it’s cool for you to show them affection in public. But your teenage kids are still kids and will likely need your help in this transition. They may put on a brave face, but they can still be pretty vulnerable. Let them know that you are there for them, even if they have nothing to say.
