“You may feel as though your teen could still benefit from being in therapy longer, yet they may need a break.”Perhaps you are like me and are always pushing for more improvement in your teen’s condition. If your child became ill at an early age, you have probably been directing their treatment. Yet, as teens become young adults, they may not want to follow your recommendations any longer. This can be frustrating for parents who are accustomed to helping. But I’ve learned a secret. Often, our teen is making progress and we don’t even realize it.
Perhaps your teen has quit therapy and you feel that they should go back. They may simply need a break. Some people benefit from therapy more than others do, and your teen may believe they need to live their life and put what they have learned into practice. Give them some time and allow their brain to continue maturing. Think back to when you were their age. Did you really have it together that much better than they currently do? Even “normal” teens go through times when they do not appear to be maturing much.
Keep in mind that growth is uncomfortable. When your teen was ill, they were struggling to grow into the demands of the illness. Following a “growth spurt” teens need time to feel in-control and comfortable about handling the demands of life. A period of time where they feel a sense of competency is important.
Finally, it helps to think about what your teen was doing six months ago compared to what they are currently doing. You may be surprised to discover that they really are doing some worthwhile things. If, on the other hand, they are playing video games all day and never going out of the house, you will know that it is time to challenge them.
Tags: Caregivers, Family Issues, Maturity & Social Skills, Therapy