Parenting a struggling teen support in Vietnam 🇻🇳

“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.”

“This time last year I was exactly where you are. The worst part was a friend group I do not trust. Today I went for a walk and didn't cry once. Things come back, slower than you'd like but they do. From someone who gets it.”

“A note for the next person. I was where you are a year and a half ago. Back then it was vaping and lying. These days I mostly feel like me. It comes back so slowly you don't notice until one day you do. One day at a time.”

“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.”