When our babies are small, they are cute, irresistible, and we can while away the hours watching their every move. BUT then they start to grow up..as teens and pre-teens they are often grumpy, moody, and down-right sullen. Nothing has changed in fact these gorgeous teenagers need us more than ever.
As a Dance Studio Owner I witness conversations from other studios based on the question “how do I deal with teenage eye-rolling, or the dreaded teenage sighs”, as Director of The Studio – Springfield, I often have parents (sometimes in tears) asking how can I deal with my teenager – he/ she has changed!
My response to both is the same, these gorgeous students have not changed, they are behaving EXACTLY as they need to. Their bodies are growing, adapting & warping before their very eyes – and the eyes of a social media savvy community! Have you ever noticed what a teenager does when they look at a picture? They use their two fingers to zoom in; to the dimples on their thighs, or the pimple on their forehead and they don’t just do it to themselves – they have it done to them by ‘friends’ and ‘friends of friends’ and they in-turn are doing it to their peers as well..
My suggestion, in fact my recommendation is, be the calm in their storm. Our teenagers NEED their community, their parents, school teachers, dance, drama, acrobatics and circus teachers to believe that they are good people, to trust in them AND to let them make mistakes. They need to learn and grow within safe communities away from devices and social media. They need to try and fail, and get back up and try again. My staff and I LOVE the challenge of teaching our pre-teen and teenage students – we also relish the opportunity to help our families grow and learn through a time that can feel quite difficult.
You joyfully watch a young baby take it’s first steps, now I challenge you to think of your pre-teens and teenagers the same way. They are taking their first precarious steps into becoming young adults – they WILL say, act and do things badly – but every now and again they will get it just right! We are so lucky to share this journey with our children and students. Hold them close, because they are learning to fly!
