As all of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic drags on, opinions and advice abound. Recently, regarding parents’ disappointments about the possibility of virtual schooling in the fall, one Facebook post I came across is encouraging parents to “Discuss your frustrations away from the kids”, “be angry or sad in private” and “stay positive”. I wanted to take a moment to deconstruct the myth that we have to hide our emotions from our children. What might it look like to be vulnerable in front of them? Is hiding our emotions from our children missing an opportunity to role model what tolerating uncertainty looks like?
You are not alone. In fact, rates of self-harm, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), tripled in the past ten years for adolescent girls. One in four adolescent girls reports self-harming.
Approach your child with love, concern, and curiosity. Remember that your child is not his or her behavior. Their behavior is likely coming from a place of deep emotional pain.
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