How To Help Teens Who Worry About Not Being Smart Enough

The teenage phase has always been a hectic time for everyone. When we are teens, it feels like everything is being thrown at us at once, social life, career, academics and all of these important choices that need to be made. And one slightly different choice can change the trajectory of how our future will be. Not to mention the emotional turmoil teens go through during this due to the hormonal changes in their lives. As such, it makes sense why many teens are really worried about their future careers and what they need to do for it. This stress can manifest in many different ways, many teens feel stressed, and anxious while others almost give up because they feel like they are not good enough. Here are some ways you can help teens who worry about not being smart enough!

Validate their feelingsLet your teen know that it's completely normal to feel insecure or doubt themselves. We have all been in their shoe and we should tell them how feeling this way is ok! Tell them that these feelings are common and that everyone experiences them at times, what matters is how you choose to deal with them. Foster a growth mindsetYou must implore that their effort and strong-headedness will help them achieve great things. Encourage your teen to try their best at things and see for themselves what works and what doesn’t, let them do things and allow them to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Set realistic expectationsSometimes teens can have too many expectations from themselves! help your teen set achievable goals that make sense with their interests and abilities, not something everyone is doing. Tell them their unique abilities matter and they may have shown brilliant progress in a different field if you think so. Encourage a balanced lifestyleSometimes teens tend to overwork themselves and put too much on their plates. As parents, you must make them have healthy habits like regular sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet. You must help them understand that it is all for their better future. Seek professional helpIt is quite normal for your kids to feel scared or worried about their futures, but when it gets out of hand there might be something wrong. If your teen keeps believing they are not good enough or smart enough to achieve anything, they are going to set themselves up for failure. Get them help as soon as possible Highlight their strengthsWhen your teen does something good, celebrate them, tell them you are proud of them and you hope for them to do even better because they have it in them! This will tell your teens that they are valuable and their strengths mean something! Tell them what you admire about them to help them feel better. Create a supportive environmentWhen kids are worried or stressed about anything, they will immediately turn to their parents because they have always been a support system for them. Provide a safe and understanding space where your teen feels valued and knows that they can be themselves.