Parenting a struggling teen support in Russia 🇷🇺

“Dear stranger, i was in the same place nearly four years ago. It was a friend group I do not trust and I couldn't see past it. Last month I had people round for dinner. Praying for you.”

“When your teen is struggling, you will feel like you are failing. You are not. The lying and the vaping and the closed door, it is not about you. Keep the small routines. For me it was Sunday hiking. One hour. It doesn't fix anything but it keeps you standing. Ask for help even if you are the one who usually gives it. And when they come out of their room for dinner, just say the food is good. Don't make it a big thing. They will come back when they are ready. In the meantime, you have to keep yourself well.”

“to whoever needs this: i was where you are in august. a friend group i do not trust. last weekend i went to a friend's birthday and stayed till the end. it comes back slowly, like feeling in your fingers after the cold.”

“Dear stranger, this time last year I was exactly where you are. It was vaping and lying and I couldn't see past it. These days I mostly feel like me. It comes back so slowly you don't notice until one day you do. From someone who gets it.”