Even adults can struggle to explain or verbalize their emotions. As teens, you are still finding your way, so explaining how you feel can be difficult when you may not understand your feelings yourself. Still, it is essential to open up to your parents. Not only can they help you, but they can help you seek more assistance if you need it.
Your adoptive parents aren’t there to judge you but to support you. It can be challenging to grasp that concept. You don’t want to get in trouble or disappoint them, but opening up isn’t going to do that. When you tell your parents the truth, no matter how difficult it is, it opens up the opportunity for help, support, and expression.
Why You Should Open Up to Your Adoptive Parents
Your parents do more than provide you with a roof, clothes, and food. They are your guides, whether you realize it or not. You learn how to socialize, communicate, and behave by observing your parents. They are your primary form of inspiration.
Not only is your bond with your parents important for the rest of your life, but when you can better communicate and understand your emotions, you are more productive and successful. If you can comprehend your feelings and express them, you gain more self-control, social skills, and upward development.
As a teenager, it can be hard to admit you need your parents’ input or advice. You want to be independent and rely on yourself, but leaning on your parents is a sign not of failure but maturity. Knowing when to reach out for guidance shows you are self-aware. Even if you don’t want to admit you need help or for someone to just listen, doing so will benefit you greatly.
Not only will opening up to your parents allow you to release what may be bothering you, but it will also help you build emotional awareness, a skill you need as an adult. This will help you create stronger bonds, build trust, and be more intentional with your words. Plus, being emotionally aware allows you to resolve problems, move past struggles, and overcome obstacles more easily.
How to Open Up to Your Adoptive Parents
You may be more comfortable talking with friends about certain struggles in life. They could be related to dating, school drama, academics, or mental health. You may feel like admitting you’re struggling to your parents will disappoint them, but they care about you and want you to be happy and healthy above anything else. Opening up to your parents can feel vulnerable and even awkward. Still, stepping out of your comfort zone to open up will offer both relief and opportunity for growth, connectedness, and assistance.
When it comes to opening up to your parents, it doesn’t always have to be a big dramatic sit-down. You can begin by talking about more minor things. Let them know something that happened at school, talk about a television show you enjoy, and let things grow from there. Talking about deeper emotions and struggles will be easier if you are already comfortable talking about everyday things.
It’s also easier to talk to your parents without pressure. You don’t need to preface a big conversation or plan a meeting with them. If you do things you enjoy together like sports, baking, or just taking a ride in the car, it can be easier to open up during this activity. This way, you are both comfortable and open, without direct pressure or eye contact.
Be clear with your parent when you share with them. Sometimes you need advice or guidance, while other times, you just need to vent and have someone support you. Let them know what you need. They are learning right along with you and can’t read your mind, so letting them know what you need out of talking will help everything go more smoothly. If you do need help, ask them for their perspective. Maintaining openness throughout the entire conversation and leaving the door open for further discussion is essential.
What to Do if You Think They Won’t Understand
Sometimes what you need to tell your parents makes you anxious. In this case, there are some steps you can take to feel more comfortable and ensure you won’t get an overreaction or misunderstanding. First, let them know that you want to open up but are worried they’ll be angry, disappointed, or ashamed. This can help them prepare their reaction or response.
If your worries or fears go beyond that, family therapy is an excellent resource for a judgment-free and safe space with professional guidance and support. This allows everyone the freedom to share their honest feelings without as much anxiety.
Havenwood Academy treats teen girls in need of mental health or trauma treatment, support, and guidance. Not only do we focus on what we can do to help those in our care, but we make family involvement a priority every step of the way. Family inclusion through therapy can not only improve your healing process, but also better your relationships, help build trust, and lead to a more open and honest level of communication. Having family support throughout your stay with us offers another means of support and positivity to your journey. We are here to make you and your wellness a priority and talking with your parents is part of that. Whether we can encourage that communication, guide it, or just be there to monitor your growth, we want to help. Call Havenwood Academy at (435) 586-2500 for more information today.
Think Havenwood Might Be For You?
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Eric Allred was born and raised in Rigby, Idaho. He grew up on a family farm where he learned the value of work. He graduated from Rigby High School and attended Rick’s College, now known as BYU-Idaho. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah State University, received a master’s degree in organizational behavior and human relations from the University of Phoenix and a second master’s degree in marital and family therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. Eric has been involved in Rotary and was president of a local Rotary Club. He enjoys being with his family and doing outdoor activities such as fly fishing.
Chase was very fortunate to start in this industry as a struggling 17 year old kid looking for a mentor and something to be passionate about. Wilderness therapy was Chase’s first stop in this industry and was truly a transcendental experience for him. Chase has an enormous love for this line of work and the power that it has in creating change in everyone involved. Chase’s biggest belief is the power a mentor, strong, healthy relationships, and accountability can have on anyone, especially youth. Taking a very relational approach to his work, Chase has always been very relatable to the students he works with. Being able to understand and relate to a vast variety of the same struggles as a lot of the students he works with has been able to help him continue to grow, learn, and teach. Chase believes that with great rapport and trust, he can use his experience to continue to coach and train new staff, and has the ability to find those staff with the passion for this industry, and help them grow. His love and passion can be felt the moment you talk with Chase about this industry and he passes that on to others he works with. In his spare time you will find Chase cheering for the Eagles, Yankees, and Mavericks, hanging out with his brother, learning more about Eastern Psychology, and continuing to grow and learn.