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Taking Care of Teens & Your Parents

Taking care of teens and juggling all of their demands can already be challenging enough. If you have to raise them while also taking care of the elderly, it can definitely be a lot to handle. Trying to raise teens at the same time you’re taking care of your elderly parents can feel overwhelming and stressful at times. It can also take a toll on your marriage. Some tips to help include prioritizing time for yourself, scheduling “date nights” with your children, staying in touch with your social circle, and asking for help. Remember, it takes a village! You don’t have to do it all alone.  Continue reading about Taking Care of Teens & Your Parents

Prioritize Time for Yourself

It’s easy to lose time for yourself when you’re trying to take care of everyone else. Taking the time to care for yourself is not only lovely, it’s an absolute essential. When you take time for yourself, you’re creating the space you need to live a full life. Some recommendations on how to prioritize yourself include:

 

  • Dedicate 15 minutes a day to just you
  • Treat yourself! (Buy yourself flowers or candy)
  • Do the things that make you happy
  • Get 8 hours of sleep a night
  • Be realistic with your to-do schedule
  • Exercise

Schedule Date Nights with your Teens

Scheduling date nights with your kids allows for you to spend quality time with each children. When you have a full house and a million things going on, quality time may get pushed to the back burner. However, each one of your kids is unique and has their own needs that you can recognize and celebrate with them when you take the time to do so. Spending one-on-one quality time with your kids is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Some easy ideas for date nights include:

  • Going out for ice cream
  • Going to the zoo
  • Have a picnic
  • Play mini golf
  • Get pedicures

Stay in Touch

You might also find it challenging to stay in touch with your own social circle when taking care of both your kids and parents. However, socialization is critical to all of us for emotional and physical health. Don’t forget to reach out and spend time with those you love and can count on. You can reconnect with groups or clubs that used to interest you, go out to dinner with friends, talk to your faith community, and more. If you feel like you have no energy to do so right now, try to make it a goal for the near future.

Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! It’s not possible to do everything for everyone. For instance, ​​when someone offers to help, like driving your kids to baseball practice, say, “Yes!”. You would be surprised at how many people will pitch in if you ask. You can also consider seeking professional support for those in your family who might need it. At Campbell Teen & Family Therapy, Inc. we are experts in helping teens and their families. In addition to offering adolescent and teen therapy, we offer family therapy that supports parents in learning how to set kind but firm boundaries and to use discipline effectively. We are experts in family communication and can teach basic communication skills and have a strong belief in the healing power within your own family. We facilitate the change, but you do the hard work. We believe that parents are in the best position to determine what is right for their family and can help their children to overcome mental health difficulties. Family Therapy is often one of the hardest therapies for people to do, but it also has one of the best benefits of change. If you think therapy might help your teen or yourself, call now (408) 628-0532 to schedule an assessment.

 

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