Get FREE Teen behavior Decoder here: https://askmammapodcast.com/behavior
Your teen used to love family gatherings. Now they sit in a corner on their phone, refuse to talk to relatives, or fight you about going at all. Is something wrong or is this just what teenagers do?
In this episode I break down why teens pull away from extended family, what's actually happening when they shut down at family events, and what you can do about it without making everything worse.
I cover:
- Why family gatherings feel overwhelming for teens (and why they can't explain it)
- The difference between normal withdrawal and something worth worrying about
- What relatives do that pushes teens further away without realising it
- How to prep your teen before a family event so it doesn't end in a fight
- What to say to family members who take it personally
- When to push your teen to show up and when to let them skip it