| We're all familiar with puppy love. Given adolescent | | | | "I Told You So" and "I'm Older So I Know Better" |
| intelligence (or lack thereof) coupled with a higher | | | | DOES NOT WORK - this is something that, sadly, |
| hormone rate and lower emotional maturity, it's | | | | most parents are prone to. Nagging your |
| part of the natural process that a teenager's first | | | | heartbroken teen during a time of emotional crisis |
| love will be blown all out of proportion and turned, | | | | is a sure fire way to make your teen dig in his or |
| in the teenager's mind, into the "one true love" | | | | her heels and rebel against you. Avoid making |
| that he or she can't live without. While as parents | | | | what you say sound like a lecture or a dressing |
| and mature adults we know better, it doesn't | | | | down because this will only convince your |
| change the fact that getting dumped is an | | | | heartbroken teen about the "rightness" of his or |
| extremely painful experience for a teenager, | | | | her decision, despite evidence to the contrary. |
| especially if it's a first. Here are a few sage pieces | | | | And naturally, since they will think that they're |
| of advice to help you cope with a heartbroken | | | | "right", it just makes the breakup all the more |
| teen. | | | | "wrong", amplifying their confusion and pain. |
| Don't Downplay Their Pain - some parents make | | | | DON'T Forbid Vices - lastly, some parents |
| the mistake of saying inanities to their | | | | naturally worry that their heartbroken teen will |
| heartbroken teen like "It Will Get Easier Over | | | | get into something like smoking, alcohol, or illegal |
| Time" or some such. Yes, we know it will, but | | | | drugs as a means of escapism from the |
| we've had far more years to build up a tolerance | | | | heartache. Sadly, this HAS been known to happen |
| to emotional pain than the average teenager. | | | | often, but remember that the best way to get |
| Because they haven't lived as long or gone | | | | your heartbroken teen to try something out is to |
| through as much as we have, always remember | | | | actually forbid it. During this time of pain your |
| that the pain they are experiencing will probably | | | | heartbroken teen will be even more prone to |
| be the worst they have ever encountered in their | | | | react in this fashion. So, unless your heartbroken |
| relatively short lives. Trying to get them to forget | | | | teen brings up the topic, don't even mention that |
| the pain by actively countering it only makes it | | | | they should try and avoid the bad juju. If they do |
| worse. Let the pain run its course. Then, redirect | | | | bring it up, deal with it as diplomatically as possible |
| their emotions towards something more | | | | without making it sound like a prohibition. One |
| lighthearted. Make them laugh if you can, or help | | | | good way is to simply tell them that they're |
| them remember something that will make them | | | | mature enough to make their own decisions, and |
| smile. | | | | that you trust them to think things through for |
| Offer Constructive Advice - once your teenager's | | | | themselves. This implied faith in them serves to |
| pain has lessened a bit, either by catharsis or by | | | | both make them feel better, and forces them to |
| your making your heartbroken teen laugh a bit, | | | | think and act instead of just reacting to their pain. |
| THEN you should offer constructive advice to | | | | Did you know that dealing with a heartbroken |
| your heartbroken teen. Focus their attention | | | | teen and raising your teen doesn't have to be an |
| towards logical solutions to what they see as an | | | | ordeal (for either of you)? Learn how you can |
| earth shattering problem. Don't tell your | | | | enjoy a calm, peaceful, and fulfilling relationship |
| heartbroken teen what to do; use leading | | | | with your teen. Discover the simple but amazing |
| questions that help him or her come to the | | | | method for raising teenage kids visit Teenager |
| conclusions on their own. This forces their minds | | | | Parenting 101. |
| to work, and the very act of applying logic to | | | | To know more about home and family visit All |
| what is essentially an emotional problem will focus | | | | About Home and Family. |
| their attention away from their hurt. | | | | |