When a teenager suddenly tells you about their problem, it doesn't always mean they need advice. More often it means they trust you.
You can often tell from your child's behavior that something's not right with them. Parents often notice whatever bothers them — noise, shouting, aggression. But if a child behaves quietly, a problem can go quite far before parents notice.
A preschooler or a younger school-age child may start acting fussy, sucking their fingers, or may develop bedwetting or soiling. Unusual fears and drawings done only in black and white should also raise your concern.
In pre-adolescence and early adolescence, difficult situations your child is going through often show up at the physical level. This can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, cramps, chest pain, and other signs. There may be aggression toward others and toward themselves, sleep problems, and recurring nightmares.
For younger teens, schoolwork matters a great deal, and they're very sensitive to success and failure at school.
In adolescence, a difficult life situation causes a reevaluation of values. This can lead to a growing interest in the world around them and a drive toward self-improvement. Or the reaction can go the other way: teenagers become aggressive and drop out of school. Communication matters a great deal to teenagers, and they're sensitive to negative situations that arise in the process of communicating with others.
If your child trusts you, and receives support and protection at home, it will be easier for them to cope with difficult situations.
