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Dias
Casual Contributor

Anyone with younger teens?

Hi

I am just after some support when dealing with younger teens experiencing MI (anxiety, possible OCD and tendencies toward depression). I have 2 children, girl and boy, year 8 and year 7, who both have different experiences (so I don't think they are 'copying each other', as people have said...). The only similarity they share is school refusal, or an inability to spent the whole day at school, which has been very stressful for my husband and I as we both worked full-time in a school setting in 2018. We've struggled with knowing what is being compassionate, and allowing them time off / allowances, and what is being too-soft on them which is allowing things to get worse (I know there's a word for this, I just can't think of it atm). I'm sure I'm not alone with this conundrum; it's a constant battle between offering support, and not engaging with their fears/anxiety. For example, this year I am not working due to the later drop-offs/earlier pick-ups/total school refusals, but I fear (and others have said) that this is letting them know their behaviour is acceptable and it will increase the issues we've had!

I just don't know how we can keep doing this forever. I try to look after myself, but it's hard to leave my husband alone to deal with any issues, and we certainly can't go anywhere for any length of time together without dealing with the fallout. Any support or stories to let me know I'm not alone in this will be appreciated.

2 REPLIES 2

Re: Anyone with younger teens?

Hi there,

your certainly not alone. I have a 15 year old son who has barely left the house in 3 years. He does his schooling through distance ed...when he does it.. I am a single mum and also have a 23 yr old son who has autism to care for, while studying fulltime. i deferred the last 6 months of uni to be here for my son and help him through his anxieties but we havent moved forward, We have had just about every local service come to the house to work with him and we are no closer.

Re: Anyone with younger teens?

Hi @Dias and welcome to the forums Smiley Happy

 

It sounds really tough as a parent to have to watch your 2 children struggle with their mental health. Good on you for reaching out for support!

 

I just wanted to share an organisation you may find helpful in terms of resources:

 

Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic)

Helpline - 1300 269 438

They are an organisation that specialises in OCD and anxiety. They have access to a lot of resources/documents specific to managing anxiety and OCD in children that they can email out to you if you request that. Also I'm not sure where you live but in Melbourne they run community education seminars around parenting anxious children.

https://www.arcvic.org.au/

 

Hope this is helpful!

 

 

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