I don't have any teenagers (my daughters are four and seven) but I've worked with them as a teacher and youth director for nearly twenty years. In my opinion, they are the warmest, kindest, funniest,  most positive, generous, creative, enthusiastic, and selfless people I've ever encountered.

The problem is that, unfortunately, we don't tell them how awesome they are nearly enough. It's hard being a parent of a child at any age, but especially the teenage years. But as hard as it is for you, remember how much harder it is for them. Young people today are experiencing things today you and I could never have even begun to dream about when were kids. The Internet, cell phones, and social media are useful and even necessary things these days. But they've opened up our youth to a world of dangers.

So tell that young person in your life (doesn't have to be a teen necessarily!) that you love them, that they're awesome (use specific examples!), that you're there for them and that you support them. And then repeat those same things tomorrow. And the next day. Knowing you feel this way (even if it's not easy for you to say!) will make a world of difference in their struggles.

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