Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
Your desire to share your school life and connect with your parents is natural. Your disappointment and frustration are completely understandable. There is nothing wrong with how you feel.
Here’s what you can do.
Organise your thoughts
Go for a quick walk to process how you feel. Try writing down your thoughts. Then, practise saying how you feel out loud in the mirror to build confidence. These steps will make it easier to express yourself clearly and increase the likelihood that your message will be received well.
Keep an open mind
Some parents are busy with work. They might not realise how much you need attention. But that does not mean they don’t care. They might just need a gentle reminder. Be patient with them.
Pick the right time
Choose a peaceful moment when your parents are clearly not busy, like after a meal or during a weekend walk. You can say something simple, like “Hey, can we chat for 10 minutes? I miss talking with you. It’s important to me.” These small steps help everyone feel more relaxed.
Express yourself in alternative ways
Try other ways to communicate: maybe a quick message, voice note, video or short letter. This gives your parents time to think and reply when they are ready.
Find extra support
If things do not improve, you can speak to a trusted teacher, school counsellor or another adult you feel comfortable with.
This question was answered by clinical psychologists from Shall We Talk, a mental health initiative under the Department of Health launched with the Advisory Committee on Mental Health
