07/27/2026
Overthinking (Anxiety) can be passed down from generation to generation. Here are three ways you can help your teen open up to you without feeling judged or dismissed. If you do these three things, consistently, they may just come to you even in times where they ordinarily wouldn’t.
1) Gove them the space to feel comfortable and vulnerable to share without talking over them and /or yelling at them. Doing this creates so much pressure in them that they’ll either shut down; or share with someone else.
2) let them know they won’t be in trouble for sharing something serious just as they would if it were good news. If you stay consistent in how you emotionally react, it develops trust with your child where they’ll feel safe to come to you with their deepest feelings about their worldview.
3) never dismiss their feelings as “overreacting”, or “manipulating”, or “not that deep”. Think about when you were in their shoes and your parents dismissed you and told you to go about your day. Think about that relationship today. Do you really want to do the same round?
I hope this helps someone. Feel free to share with your other parent-friends who may be struggling with their teen.
