Teen love can be sweet and all-encompassing and intense.
Its also, likely, temporary.
Sure, theres a chance your childs first love could be their forever love.
But, well, probably not.
Barbara Greenberg, an adolescent and family psychologist in Connecticut.
First, limit the amount of time your child spends with their new significant other.
Secondly, set limits on their social media use.
While youre busy listening, remember also to stay calm.
If your childs heart is breaking, yours probably is, too.
But dont allow yourself to be pulled into an emotional reaction, even if that means faking your poise.
you’re gonna wanna be the rock.
The second a parent gets emotional, the child will also stop talking, Greenberg says.
After all, dont you remember howyoufelt when you broke up with your first love?
How you felt you might never recover and very surely would never find that kind of love again?
Yeah, dont tell them any of that either.
Dont steal it, Greenberg says.
Kids will stop talking to you if you make it about yourself.
In fact, you shouldnt, Greenberg says.
Talking about ittoomuch can be overwhelming and unhelpful.
Too much rumination or talking about a negative event is not good, she says.
You sort of have to dose yourself.
But youshouldspend time with them.
But parents often dont view themselves that way.
Distraction, re-engaging in life and time are the three best healers, Greenberg says.
Alsoand this one isnt going to be easyencourage them to un-follow their ex on social media.
Gently suggest to them that they not ask their friends about the ex, Greenberg says.
Because then they get upset when they hear about the ex.
For them to start dating someone new right away.
Youd be surprised, she says.
Ive seen parents say, Oh, what about him, hes cute.
As a parent, we wish we could absorb our kids pain, Greenberg says.
But its okay for kids to feel a little bit of distress.
For more from Lifehacker, be sure to follow us on Instagram@lifehackerdotcom.
