How to Overcome Teenage Social Problems
Teenagers usually prioritize social relationships and interactions with peers. A teen who struggles with social problems might suffer angst as he tries to fit in with others and survive in the peer environment. With guidance and support, you can help your teenager overcome challenging social problems so he can feel successful.
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Stay Attuned and Involved
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As grown-up as your teenager might appear from the outside, her need for continued parenting has not come to an end, advises extension specialist Shannon L. Sachs, with the Ohio State University. Monitor your teen̵7;s activities and look for every opportunity to interact with her on a daily basis to stay connected and involved with her life. This connection will help keep lines of communication open between you and your adolescent, which should help her feel comfortable talking to you if she needs help or guidance with social problems.
Listen Actively
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Stop whatever you̵7;re doing and give your adolescent your undivided attention if he comes to you with social struggles. Strive to listen more than talk to give your teenager the opportunity to share his concerns and feelings, recommends associate professor Dr. Jodi Dworkin, with the University of Minnesota Extension. Maintain eye contact and nod appropriately as you listen. Paraphrase statements your teenager makes to make sure you understand. Sometimes just a parent listening without criticizing and judging can be enough to help a teen work through a challenging problem, such as a fight with a best friend or an awkward situation in the school cafeteria.
Ask the Right Questions
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As you explore a social situation with your teenager, use questions to gently guide her and help her resolve the issues, suggests the Parenting.org website. Make your questions open-ended and thought provoking to help your teen think through a situation and arrive at possible solutions. For example, if your teen struggles with shyness and frequently experiences uncomfortable situations, you might help her rehearse conversations or ask questions that help her explore what motivates her shyness.
Resist Personalizing Your Teen̵7;s Issues
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It̵7;s possible that you have personal experience with your own social problems, stemming from your own adolescence. Even if you can empathize with your teen̵7;s social angst, resist the urge to personalize his issues and make them your own. Even if you and your teen share some personality similarities, you both will not have the same experiences, thoughts and feelings. Strive to view your teen̵7;s situation as separate and different from yours as you try to help him navigate his social environment.
Seek Professional Help
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If you perceive extreme unhappiness, depression or negative risk-taking behaviors in your teen, seek the advice and support of a professional counselor or therapist, advises the Cleveland Clinic. Teenagers have significant sources of stress, including academics, extracurricular activities, peers and family, which can set them up for depression and self-esteem issues. If your teen isolates herself from social situations, she may need professional assistance to engage with others.
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