Teaching Our Teens How to Handle the Toughest Relationship Lines

We all (both teens and adults) walk through our day and have both good encounters and deflating ones. True, huh? For many of us these deflating interactions often come at the end of relationships when we are feeling disappointed and somewhat under the weather. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can help our teens deal with similarly tricky interactions and disappointments by using a little wit, levity and humor.

Consider the following scenarios:

A teen boy tells your daughter that “It’s not you. It’s me.”
What is really happening here is that the young man wants to break up with your daughter and he is trying to do it without hurting her feelings. Your daughter is likely flabbergasted and her feelings are probably very hurt. Why not suggest that if a line like this is said to her that she responds with something like:”I know!”

A teen girl tells your son, “I just want to be friends.”

What is happening here is that the girl clearly is not attracted to your gorgeous son. Why not suggest that your son regain control and his sure footing by saying something like “That’s a possibility” or even “Are you sure?”

AND

A teen boy is breaking up with your daughter. She tells him how upset she is. He says, “I’m sorry that you feel that way.” I have no idea what this line really means other than “I am totally going to dismiss your feelings.” How about suggesting that your teen respond with something like “Feel what way?” or “I’m sorry that you made me feel this way.”

Let me know what you think of these responses. I promise to be back with more. I would welcome any ideas. Thanks and happy holidays.