4 Things Kids Say That You Should Never Ignore
HuffPost
Experts say these phrases are a big deal — and they’re worth your attention.
Sometimes kids tell you what they need directly while other times you need to put some effort into understanding what’s going on. A young child, for example, may not have the language they need to articulate what they’re feeling, but a teen may be evasive because they’re anxious about confiding something personal.
It’s not possible for you to foresee every tricky scenario that your kid will bring to you or even know exactly how to respond in that moment. It is your job to listen to your child, to make space for them to tell you what they’re feeling and to reach out for more help when necessary.
For guidance, we asked a number of mental health professionals what phrases kids say that you should never ignore. Here’s what they had to say.
Statements About Their Identity
Your child may want to disclose something to you about who they are. Dr. Michelle Forcier, a clinician at Folx Health, an LGBTQ+ health care provider, told HuffPost that kids may say something like: