Maria Arpa
This week
Teenage Angst
Plus…
Maria’s Midweek Mindfulness
and
The Wednesday Whisper
Boundaries and Battles
I came across a great little plaque, it reads,
‘TEENAGERS. Tired of being harassed by your stupid parents? ACT NOW!!! Move out, get a job, pay your own bills while you still know everything’
After I finished laughing, and feeling smug that this phase has long since passed in my life, I remembered that we are now in the summer holidays where parents everywhere are tearing their hair out with ‘bored’ teenagers and returnees from University who have descended on the household and lurch between wanting the safety and comfort of being a child while, at the same time, taking all the privileges of being an adult. And, somehow this person you raised can press your buttons with the precision of a hitman shooting straight at his target.
So, it’s always a pleasure to be asked to facilitate communication when a family gets stuck. This is where the Dialogue Road Map comes into its own. Often, the arguing has become about the ‘doing’ – cleaning, contributing, co-operating. And I like to bring it back to the ‘being’ – harmony.
Until the quality of the relationship takes precedence then the negotiating will not succeed. That’s why it’s important to know when to get expert help.
Maria’s Midweek Mindfulness
I’m thinking about when my granddaughter is a teenager and how I will improve on the mistakes I made as a parent.
The Wednesday Whisper
Is anyone in your family dealing with an angsty teenager or young adult? What are you witnessing?
And, as ever, would you be willing to send this out to anyone you think might be interested in getting a little dose of mindfulness each week?