Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
It sounds like you are worried about how your parents will react if you tell them you are feeling overwhelmed. You might be afraid of disappointing them, and that’s understandable.
But you don’t need to be perfect all the time.
When you need to tell someone something they might not like, it is important to think about how and when you say it. It’s best to talk about it when you are doing something together, like sitting in a car or on a bus. You can feel more relaxed this way.
When you talk to them, focus on expressing your feelings rather than just complaining. How you say something is very important. Do you sound angry and want to argue, or do you sound calm and want to find a solution together?
Think about how you say something, your tone of voice, and when you say it to help your parents understand you better. Good luck!
Talk it out
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Have you ever been afraid to tell someone something because you thought they wouldn’t like it?
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What’s the difference between complaining and explaining how you feel?
This question was answered by Katie Leung Pui-yan, a practicising child and family therapist and partner at TherapyPartners.
