See Your Children as They Really Are

Dr. Ken Ginsburg

It can be awe-inspiring to watch children move through adolescence, as the adults they are becoming start coming into focus. But sometimes, what we see is not what we expected. Our teens may struggle in ways that leave them, and us, unsettled.

How might your child be developing differently than you imagined? The way children identify or envision their future may not fit into preconceived notions of where you thought they would land. It is beyond the scope of this article to address every possibility. What matters most is that your teen knows you see them as the right person to be your child — as they truly are. Life is easier when the person whose opinion matters most accepts and supports you fully.

Even if your teen finds sharp words or unwelcome behaviors to make