When It Comes to Your Expectations for Your Teen, What Is Good Enough? by Kelli Porcaro

Teens Parenting
7 years ago

When It Comes to Your Expectations for Your Teen, What Is Good Enough?

As parents, we want the best for our kids. But at what cost? With the rise of stress amongst teens, you don't have to look too hard to see anxiety is often about achievement and performance. So where does this pressure to excel come from?

Sadly, I think it partly comes from us. We want so badly for our kids to have every opportunity. With good intentions we sign them up for teams, lessons and privates. We push our kids to do well academically and provide tutors, ACT prep courses and college coaches. We encourage our teens to build their resume and serve, not to make a difference in the world, but to make a college app that stands out.

It's no wonder our teens are stressed out and burned out. So what can we do to change that?

Simply: Spend time. Be present. Listen.

Donna John
Such great advice, @kellischulte. I think too many parents push their teens too hard. They forget they just need to be a kid -- to just BE.
Kelli Porcaro
Thanks @donna. I think it can be easy to get caught up in wanting the best for our kids. Intentions are good, but sometimes it's just too much!
Kelli Porcaro
Thanks @donna. I think it can be easy to get caught up in wanting the best for our kids. Intentions are good, but sometimes it's just too much!
Elisa Schmitz
Yes yes yes, Kelli Schulte! Your insights are always spot on!
Holly Budde
Love it! I have caught myself overscheduling them. and since then have become a big proponent for kids to have their down time
Meredith Schneider
So love this! I think this applies to all ages of our kids too. I see so many younger kids being spread too thin as well. Having a 14yr old, 12yr old, 8yr old and 5yr old we are running around a lot but love the nights we get like tonight..just chilling, cooking, talking, playing and be present. xo ;)
Mindy Hudon, M.S., CCC-SLP
It's not just parents. The academic expectations on teens is much more demanding then we were kids. Society has placed a lot of pressure on us as parents too!
Kelli Porcaro
I totally agree @mindy. We are just one source. The kids I work with are also a their own source of stress...the competition and comparison to their friends is fierce!

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