Download printable Resource Sheet
Below are the responses we have heard from children and teens when asked “What they need from adults when they are going through a difficult time…”
Middle Schoolers’ Responses
Please listen and do not talk.
Show sympathy.
Show me you are on my side.
Just hold me.
Give me time alone.
Believe in my stories.
Stop asking if I am okay.
Let me take a nap.
Play with my hair.
Don’t be afraid to mention ______________’s name. It helps me to remember.
Let me listen to my music LOUD.
Look at pictures with me.
Let me have friends over.
Let me spend time with my siblings.
Ask me how my day went.
Give me a hug.
Get me a stuffed animal to hold onto.
Respect that I don’t always want to talk. I will talk when I am ready.
Take me out to dinner.
Help me with homework if I need it.
Bake with me.
Read with me.
Listen. Listen. Listen.
Let the house be quiet.
High Schoolers’ Responses
Let me be.
Don’t expect for me to be in a great mood all the time.
Stop saying “it is good to see you here…”
I don’t want to be the parent all the time. Give me space to still be a kid.
Don’t tell me to get over it.
Don’t be so quick to respond. Listen to what I say.
Don’t treat me differently than you did before, but realize that I am not the same person.
Please stop drinking.
Get off the phone!