What to Do If Your Teen Struggles With Failure

Adolescence is a time of big significant changes. It’s when kids move from childhood to young adulthood and it can be a tough transition. It’s also an age when teens are particularly sensitive to new situations, especially negative ones. Even small setbacks can feel overwhelming, and they may perceive them as catastrophic.

🤯 Help Them Express Their Emotions

To cope with their feelings, it’s crucial that your teen can express them. Never belittle your child’s emotions. Instead, listen attentively and show that you understand and love them. When they feel supported, they’re much more likely to process their emotions healthily.

For instance, if your teen gets a bad grade, it’s not the time for scolding, especially when you can see that they’re already down. Let them know that what matters most to you is their emotional well-being, not their grades or other successes. This approach is essential for helping them build resilience and healthy self-esteem.

⏰ Make Time for Them

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and sometimes parents just don’t have that much time for in-depth conversations. But right now, your child needs your attention more than ever.

There may be moments when your teen is not ready to talk about an issue. When that happens, let them know that you’re there and offer your support when they’re ready to open up. Make sure your child understands that there are no impossible situations. Let them know that nothing catastrophic has happened. This reassurance helps to avoid panic and prevent further self-doubt.

Emphasize that mistakes are a part of life and can be valuable learning experiences. Failures are normal and the key takeaway is that failures help us grow. They build resilience, help us avoid making the same mistakes, and strengthen our character.

🗣️ Share Your Own Experience

The best thing you can do for your child is share your own personal example. Tell them stories about your own failures and how you overcame them. It’s even better if you can inject some humor into your stories. But be cautious with jokes. They should never belittle or invalidate your child’s feelings, as this could make the situation worse.

🤗 Offer a Distraction

If your teen is feeling particularly down, offer a healthy distraction. Suggest an activity they enjoy, like going for a walk, watching a movie together, or getting some ice cream. Positive emotions will help replace the negative ones, and it’ll be easier for them to let go of the setback.

The main point is to allow your teen to make mistakes and reassure them that it’s okay. Afterward, help them get over the situation. If failure seems to be a recurring theme, try to uncover the root cause and work together to find a solution.

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