What to Do If Your Parents Aren’t Supportive

This blog is for teens or young people wondering what to do if your parents aren’t supportive. Being rejected or unaccepted by your parents can be incredibly damaging. Not only can this be traumatic, but it can cause other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.

 

Sometimes, parents have set expectations for their kids. Whether it’s to excel academically, in some sport or activity, have certain values or beliefs, or not go against their personal values or beliefs. They may paint an idealized image of you in their head, and when you don’t meet that, they express disappointment or disapproval.

 

Not feeling accepted by your parents is so tough. All you want is for them to support you, try to understand you, and validate you. Your parent(s) may have been raised in a different environment or culture. This impacts their values or beliefs as well.

 

Teen therapy in Simi Valley, CA works to ensure teens feel supported and understood. Be sure to read and share our blog on How to Be An LGBTQIA+ Ally!

 

What to Do If Your Parents Aren’t Supportive: Learn to love and accept yourself

It’s important to not let this rejection affect how you perceive yourself. A lot of your self-worth may depend upon how your parents feel about you. If they struggle to view you positively, you may feel that you are not worthy of that from others – even yourself. 

 

That’s why it’s crucial for you to begin learning how to love and accept yourself fully; where you don’t need outside validation to confirm that you are deserving of that. It all starts from within you, where you can find true peace in being who you are.

 

It takes a lot of self-work for you to get to this point. You’ll also be continuously doing the work for years to come. Feeling good about yourself or who you want to be will not come suddenly, and may not always feel consistent. However, remaining determined to treat yourself with love and care will get easier.

 

Teen therapy in Simi Valley helps teens better understand their emotions and how to cope with them in a healthy way. Make sure to read our blog for teens on How to Be Responsible for Your Mental Health!

 

What to Do If Your Parents Aren’t Supportive: Create a support network 

Another crucial aspect is having a support network. As you continue to navigate adolescence, you will likely continue to connect with others who provide support.

 

This could be friends, classmates, coworkers, other family members, or safe, trusted adults in your life. Safe, trusted adults may include therapists, school counselors, teachers, or staff for activities/hobbies/extracurriculars. 

 

This support network can be life-saving. Through difficult and tough moments, along with celebratory moments, or times of stability, calmness, or happiness, you will have support. Staying in touch with others and talking about difficult topics can be really healing for you.

 

Make sure to check in with them if they are mentally able to be of support to you at the moment, and ensure that you are also reciprocating the same support and attention that you receive with as well.  

 

As you continue to grow up with your friends or family, this will strengthen your relationships and sense of closeness to each other. You can create a history that you both can look back and reflect upon, to see just how far you all have come. Remembering that you have their support readily available can give you a sense of hope and encouragement. 

 

In addition, aim to surround yourself with like-minded people as well. You may have dreams or aspirations to go into the music industry, sports, arts, and more. Maybe you are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, and can spend time with other LGBTQIA+ teens. This includes settings where self-expression is encouraged.

 

Having positive, healthy relationships is important for your well-being. Therefore, make sure to read our blog on 4 Ways to Create Space for Healthy Friendships! For starting in teen therapy near Thousand Oaks, give us a call at (805) 774-1506. 

 

What to Do If Your Parents Aren’t Supportive: Explore interests or hobbies that give you a sense of purpose

A majority of teens aren’t sure of what they want to do with their lives past highschool. Did you know that this is incredibly common? Especially if you are struggling with depression, you may feel that you already have no sense of purpose or belonging. If you are an outcast from your loved ones, and don’t know what you want to do and who you are, then what?

 

I’ll tell you – you find your purpose and meaning in life! Again, easier said than done. And it may take trial and error for you to get there. It’s possible that as you go through life, you’ll encounter vastly different interests or hobbies. Maybe you fear that you won’t ever uncover any interests or hobbies.

 

Even in this perceived “nothingness”, there is something out there meant for you. It’s important to put yourself out in the world and try new things. You may be able to find a mentor, talk to someone for advice, or do your own research. You are in control to create the future you desire and deserve!

 

Don’t give up hope on yourself or your future. It’s hard to not be accepted or supported by your parents or family, but you are not alone in navigating this.

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues. Parents – check out our blog on Why Your Teen May Be Self-Diagnosing.

 

By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. However, you don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either.

 

Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!

 

Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.