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Raising kidsnever really gets easy; each age brings its own challenges.
As kids become teenagers, they start developing their own identity.
The girl liked a goth and punk-inspired aesthetic, whereas the mom wanted her to be agirly girl.
The stepdad, caught in the crosshairs,asked for helpfrom others: should he pick sides?
And, if so, whose side should he pick?
They try out different personalities, styles, hobbies, and sometimes even friends.
Psychologist Dr. David Walshwriteshow important it is to support a teen trying out new things.
Forming a strong sense ofidentitywill help a kid in the long run.
is helping them gain even more expertise.
Your role is to be a sounding board.
You supportively listen to their growing understandings and developing thoughts.
And you guide them when needed.
However, some parents start to live vicariously through their children.
Thats how some kids end up in football or piano classes against their will.
For some parents, it might be hard to distinguish whether theyre being this way.
In their mind, they just want the best for their children: to be successful and happy.
Thats whyhelicopter parentsare usually more prone to this.
Clinical Psychologist Susan Heitler, PhD,writesthat its also a trait many narcissistic parents have.
For the narcissist, any disagreements only interfere with their vision.
When a child expresses their own personality, it only angers them.
They dont see them as a separate individual with their own separate identity.
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