My Teenager Is Failing: The Truth About Building Resilience

Has a failing grade ever made you want to step in and fix everything? That instinct comes from love, but it may be quietly taking a brick out of the foundation of your teenager's confidence.In this episode, I share three things parents do when a teenager is failing that actually make things worse, and the better response for each one. I start with a real story: a friend whose son was failing a high-level math class and my one question that changed what she did next.A failing grade is not a verdict. It is a signal. My research found that teenagers have a deep desire to succeed, and when we rescue them from failure, we rob them of the one thing that actually builds self-worth: knowing they did it themselves.I also look at Jonathan Haidt's work on the anxious generation and why children need challenge and stress to become anti-fragile. And I walk through the shame distinction that changes everything: there is a world of difference between "I am a mistake" and "I made a mistake."I close with the one question that reframes how we see our teenager's struggles entirely. Because you cannot build resilience in a child you are too afraid to let struggle.👉 Get my free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at drsuzannesimpson.comFind my podcast playlists on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their TurfGuest Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi7xFsX7h7tflz6UKyqfa4AVPf5l9zwveJust Me: https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLi7xFsX7h7tf_CsX5hZUEBTPkz967Sy2nNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at https://www.drsuzannesimpson.com/#reconnectConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.