Parents Listen

PTC has been touched by another teen suicide. Thank God it doesn't happen often. It strikes me that when I am with my children, I really need to be listening more than talking. I need to assume that if they say something is wrong, that it is. We need to stand up for them, even our teens, if they are being bullied, or feeling low for any reason. We need to assume that if they reach out to us, they need our help. We need to watch for the non-verbal signs too as not all will reach out. Teens are not young adults, and shouldn't be expected to just "handle it". I encourage all parents to talk to their teens, and make sure their teens know that they are there for them, NO MATTER WHAT!!!!! Before another teen is lost.

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Thanks PTCMomma
Submitted by leber on Tue, 02/07/2006 - 9:56am.

We all need this reminder sometimes.
Lets not forget either to let our children know there is nothing you can't handle together. Emotional support can be sometimes difficult with teens (them letting us know what's going on) but is a key to getting our teens through those tough teen yrs.
Btw, I am Mom to a few strays myself Smiling

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Parents Listen cont.
Submitted by PTCMomma on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 10:27am.

One more thing... Just because the school has always done something a certain way doesn't mean you have to allow it if it is harmful to your child. The school is not always right. On the flip side, although we really need to pay attention to what our children say is happening, their perspective might not be right but we can help them to understand in a caring way that let's them know we love them.

Mom to 3, plus a few strays

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What?
Submitted by sherwood on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 11:08am.

Are you somehow implying that the school had something to do with this suicide? I don't understand your post.

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To Sherwood
Submitted by PTCMomma on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 11:20am.

Oh my gosh, no... I was not implying that the school had anything to do with this tragedy. I was going past this tragedy about life in general with our teens. I did not mean to imply anything about the specific situation with this young man who lost his life. I was just trying to remind parents, myself one, that we all need to remember to pay attention to what is going on with our teen's, and that sometime's our teen's view is more accurate than the school's. And sometime's it isn't. The recent tragedy was a wake up call to me and several of my friends just about really listening. And I am absolutely not saying that this child's parents didn't listen. I don't blame anyone in this tragedy. Again, I am just reminding myself, and hopefully other parents, that we all need to pay attention to the signs, and I know that even then, it's not always enough. I'm rambling because I want to get it out quickly that I wasn't blaming anyone, No way...
Mom to 3, plus a few strays

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