Youth Counselling Archives ⋆ The Teenager Today https://theteenagertoday.com/category/youth-counselling/ Loved by youth since 1963 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:54:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://theteenagertoday.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cropped-the-teenager-today-favicon-32x32.png Youth Counselling Archives ⋆ The Teenager Today https://theteenagertoday.com/category/youth-counselling/ 32 32 I want to teach my sister the difference between good touch and bad touch https://theteenagertoday.com/to-teach-my-sister-difference-between-good-touch-bad-touch/ Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:54:05 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=29301 I want to teach my 7-year-old sister the difference between good touch and bad touch. She is very introverted...

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I want to teach my 7-year-old sister the difference between good touch and bad touch. She is very introverted, and I do not know how much she has understood post the session at school. She is very close to me, so my mother has suggested that I speak to her, but I am uncertain how to do so. Is there any sequence that I must follow? How should I address this with her?
J. T. (17)

I appreciate you taking up this step, though I would suggest this is best addressed by your mother. However, since you have mentioned that she is the closest to you, I will guide you with a few brief steps. Firstly, it is very important for you to understand how much she actually knows, post that you can build upon what she needs to know. Find a quiet, comfortable place where she feels safe and relaxed. You can have child-friendly books or visual aids ready to help explain the concepts. Avoid using complex words; this would only confuse her. Explain first what good touches are, using examples like a hug from you or holding hands with a friend. Follow with what bad touches are, using clear and simple language. Emphasize that bad touches are those that make her feel uncomfortable or scared. Give her time to process the information and express her thoughts. Tell her to seek help if she ever feels scared or is encountered by a situation where she feels threatened. By following this sequence and approach, you can help your sister understand the concepts of good touch and bad touch in a way that is gentle, supportive, and empowering.

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What are your thoughts on wasting time on our mobiles? https://theteenagertoday.com/what-are-your-thoughts-on-wasting-time-on-our-mobiles/ Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:02:09 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=29152 What are your thoughts on wasting precious time on our mobiles instead of investing time in something creative?

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What are your thoughts on wasting precious time on our mobiles instead of investing time in something creative that could help us in the future? I have experienced wasting my time on my mobile, but now I realise that it is important to spend time with my family and enjoy creative things as it helps improve my thinking skills, and if you write, say poetry, it helps in improving writing skills. I would like your advice on this.
A.T. (10)

It’s great that you’ve recognized the impact of spending excessive time on mobile devices and the value of engaging in more meaningful activities. The shift towards spending time with family and engaging in creative pursuits can significantly enhance your personal growth and well-being. Recognizing that excessive mobile use is a problem is the first step. Understanding how it impacts your productivity and relationships can motivate you to make changes. Whether it’s improving your writing skills, learning a new hobby, or simply spending quality time with loved ones and having clear goals can guide your actions. By shifting your focus from passive consumption on mobile devices to active engagement in creative and meaningful activities, you’ll likely find greater satisfaction and personal growth. Keep exploring new interests and cherish the time spent with your family and on your creative pursuits.

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I don’t do things boys my age usually do https://theteenagertoday.com/i-dont-do-things-boys-my-age-usually-do/ Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:49:57 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=29150 I am a 14-year-old boy. I often don’t do the things that boys my age would usually do. I don’t

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I am a 14-year-old boy. I often don’t do the things that boys my age would usually do. I don’t like to play or watch sports; I instead prefer to read. I have a small group of friends that I am very happy with. Is it normal to not have a taste like the other boys I know?
A.I. (14)

Yes, it is completely normal to have different interests from other boys of your age. Everyone is unique, and it’s perfectly fine to have your own preferences and hobbies. Each person has their own likes and dislikes. It’s great that you enjoy reading and have a small group of friends you are happy with. Not everyone has to enjoy the same activities. Some people love sports, while others prefer reading, art, music, or other hobbies. Reading is a wonderful hobby that can expand your knowledge, improve your imagination, and enhance your understanding of different cultures and ideas. Having a small group of friends can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships. It’s quality, not quantity that matters in friendships. Be proud of who you are and what you enjoy. Confidence in your interests can inspire others to appreciate their own unique qualities. Try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone grows and develops at their own pace, and having different interests is part of what makes the world interesting. Consider joining a book club or literary group where you can meet people who share your passion for reading. It’s great that you recognize and embrace your interests. Your love for reading and your close friendships are valuable and important. Being true to yourself is one of the most important things you can do.

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I feel left out https://theteenagertoday.com/i-feel-left-out/ Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:58:41 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=29023 I feel left out, as if people just make me feel so. In the past few days, my best friend broke up with me.

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I feel left out, as if people just make me feel so. In the past few days, my best friend broke up with me. I don’t miss her, but that feeling of being lonely is way more. I hope you can understand and help me.
V. (14)

Feeling left out and lonely can be incredibly tough, especially after losing a close friend. It is important to recognize and accept your feelings. It is okay to feel hurt, lonely, or left out. Writing in a journal about your emotions can help you process them better. Try to reach out to other friends or acquaintances, even though it may be very hard initially. Sometimes people might not realize you are feeling left out. A simple conversation or spending time with someone new can help you feel more connected. Getting involved in activities or hobbies you love can be a great way to meet new people and take your mind off feelings of loneliness. Remember, you are not alone. Many people go through periods of loneliness and feeling left out. It is a common experience. Talking about your feelings and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Building new connections and finding ways to cope with loneliness can take time. Take care of yourself, and allow yourself to heal and grow from this experience.

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I was bullied by my school friends https://theteenagertoday.com/i-was-bullied-by-my-school-friends/ Fri, 07 Jun 2024 10:06:45 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=28874 I was bullied by my school friends for a few weeks. You once wrote that one must stand up for what they feel is right and raise their voice.

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I was bullied by my school friends for a few weeks. You once wrote that one must stand up for what they feel is right and raise their voice. I feel happy to say that as you mentioned that we must speak to someone, I spoke to my school counsellor. She listened to me and also asked me the names of the bullies. She called them and explained to them. They have stopped troubling me, but my problem now is that I have lost my confidence. I feel targeted still.
F.R. (13)

I am delighted to read that one of my previous articles has helped you. I am so proud of the fact that you stood up for yourself at such a young age; this is indeed commendable. Kudos to you for that! First you need to appreciate and congratulate yourself for this victory. In life, we will have many such people who try to put us down knowingly or unknowingly. This will first make us feel sad and disheartened; if we don’t stand up for ourselves, it will make things worse for us. The fact that you did what you needed to do, you will not feel worse about the situation but the past can often unnerve you. What you need to do now is learn to validate yourself. Make a list of all the things big or small that you have achieved so far, all those things you never felt you could do. This will help you feel validated and accomplished. This will also increase your self-confidence and morale.

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I want to get physically intimate with my boyfriend https://theteenagertoday.com/i-want-to-get-physically-intimate-with-my-boyfriend/ Thu, 02 May 2024 06:54:39 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=28702 I want to get physically intimate with my boyfriend, not completely out of my choice, but he has told me

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I want to get physically intimate with my boyfriend, not completely out of my choice, but he has told me this many times and I don’t want to disappoint him. I also feel that he loves me a lot and if this is something that he wants, I should not disappoint him. He has waited for long for me and I should comply. I feel that if I refuse, he may refuse to stay in the relationship any longer or may find another partner for himself. There is a difference between what I want out of the relationship and what he wants. Is my thinking on track? Is it okay to do something for your partner even if you don’t personally want to?
T.K. (15)

As I read the above question, I see a lot of statements directed at “he wants”, and rather a very few at “this is what I want” or “I don’t want this”. Every relationship is about two people and never one person. Your comfort is your priority, and you cannot allow anyone to touch you without your consent. If you feel this will salvage your relationship, your thinking is completely wrong. If you are taking a decision in order to please another person, you are going to fall in your own eyes. I suggest you talk to him about this and tell him how you feel. Tell him that you are not sure at this point and wouldn’t want to go ahead. If he is not happy or refuses to accept what you have said, you must know that this is not the right relationship for you.

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I gave him a second chance https://theteenagertoday.com/i-gave-him-a-second-chance/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 04:32:12 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=27613 I gave him a second chance, but he said that he cannot since he has changed. He acts very friendly, but is a coward to admit his feelings.

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I was in a relationship with a guy for more than a year. Things were well between us; our parents supported us, and we went on many dates together. Recently, we went on a school trip together; there he started ignoring me. One night, he told me that he is not sure if he wants to continue or not, the main reason being that these days we did not get much time to talk to each other because our sections got separated, and he was quite sad. I gave him time to think about it. When we came home, I asked him to tell me the truth, and he said that he liked someone else the week before his birthday because she talked to him in class and gave him attention, and he was happy. For me, that was cheating. I could not handle the truth and asked for a break-up. He told me I was overreacting and sensitive, and should be a better girlfriend and listen to his thoughts. The problem here was that he is a student who side by side studies for engineering at a very young age. So, for one year I used to wait for his messages till late at night so we could talk, and I personally sacrificed a lot for him so he could be happy. This year, when I was busy for 2-3 months, he couldn’t handle the loneliness. He was changing his story, that he did not like that girl. After a few months, we became friends again. I gave him a second chance, but he said that he cannot since he has changed. He acts very friendly, but is a coward to admit his feelings. My heart was broken by all this, he cannot commit or decide a single thing; he is in confusion. There are some chances he might come around in the future. What should I do then?
I. S. (14)

Dear I.S., I admire the maturity in which you have managed your relationship so far. It is honestly admirable that you have waited and had the patience to hear out another person too. I appreciate how you have penned out these details. During the course of our life we will meet a lot of people. The tendency of developing an affection does exist. I understand your apprehension, however I want you to also understand that certain things are always going to be beyond your control. I respect the fact that your friend has been courageous enough to tell you that he has developed feelings for someone else. Let me also tell you that a lot of people go through this but very few actually admit this and in fact keep their partners waiting. Since you have waited and given this an attempt again, yet see that he doesn’t feel the same, I don’t think it makes sense to wait further. We cannot predict the future, I agree, but how sure are you that you won’t find someone better than him? This relationship isn’t a one-sided affair, your say manners too. If you feel you are not getting the love and care that you deserve you have an equal say to convey your point and move on. If you feel that staying friends gives you hope I suggest you take a brief breather from that too and try to explore the world around you, without him.

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I’m not sure whether it was love https://theteenagertoday.com/im-not-sure-whether-it-was-love/ Sat, 03 Feb 2024 10:34:46 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=27400 I was really sorry and asked for forgiveness multiple times. I realised my mistake; that it was my fault and I shouldn’t have done that.

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I’m in the 11th grade. I dated a guy in my school, and it went pretty well for some months, but after that we had a lot of fights and misunderstandings, and I let his secret out. So, he wanted to break up with me. I was really sorry and asked for forgiveness multiple times. I realised my mistake; that it was my fault and I shouldn’t have done that. I really liked him, although I’m not sure whether it was love. After the break-up I became really weak mentally and physically. I’ve always been the strong one who’s ready to face any kind of struggle. I’m the kind of person who thinks that crying in front of people makes one seem weak. I never cry in school, but these days I cry without any reason; I start crying and hugging my best friend. I know I’m not a good person, but I know I’m not a bad one either. I wish he would forgive me, but now it’s all gone. I wish someone would read this and realise it’s me and would give me a long hug and say, “it’ll be alright”. I see him moving around happily, and I’m happy to see him happy. I am angry at myself for doing such a cheap thing. I constantly have suicidal thoughts these days and have frequent panic attacks. I overthink everything and I feel like worms have entered my heart and someone is screaming inside my head. I feel very bad for doing such a thing and also to lose someone I really liked. What should I do to get out of this?
G. (16)

First, you need to admit that you have knowingly or annoyingly made a mistake. Secondly, it is important for you to decide how you would want to deal with the current situation in a better manner. You have mentioned that you have already tried to apologise but your ex-boyfriend has not acknowledged the same. Try and apologise to him again. Maybe you can write him a note telling him how sorry you are about what has happened. Every person and situation needs time to heal properly. This will also heal over time. Now, you may experience feelings of anger, stress, low moods, irritability and frustration. This may cause you to think in a very negative manner about your life. At this point you are hurt, and you have also hurt someone else. Profusely apologising may help you to reduce your guilt and also help the other person realise that you are genuinely apologetic. It is important for you to try and find solace in a close friend who understands your situation and is available to hear you out at most times. If you feel that over time your symptoms do not change, and you still feel extremely low, it is very important for you to seek help by consulting a mental health professional. Give yourself time, not all things happen at the pace at which we would like. Over time, your ex-boyfriend would also feel more stable about the emotions that he is experiencing. Do not take any harsh steps that you would regret later in life. Also, remember to not repeat the same mistake again.

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The person stays the same; I change https://theteenagertoday.com/26727-2/ Mon, 01 Jan 2024 09:01:58 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=26727 I have realized that when the relationship starts, I am very enthusiastic, but later on with time, the same relationship gets very boring.

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I am in a relationship at the moment. This is my second relationship. I have realized that when the relationship starts, I am very enthusiastic, but later on with time, the same relationship gets very boring. The person stays the same; I change. I don’t put in the effort. Is this a normal feeling?
I.K. (18)

Say you like to eat ice-cream and I give you the same ice-cream daily for two weeks. What will happen? You will get bored and fed up. Now say I give you the same ice-cream, but one day I add springles, one day I add chocolate sauce, another day I serve it to you with a brownie, and one day I serve it as an ice-cream sundae. Do you think you will get bored that quickly? Any relationship or friendship reaches a point of exhaustion and boredom. How you keep the same alive depends on you and your partner. It is also important to see that the relationship that you are in is a healthy one. Your feelings are normal and many people do experience the same, however, having said that, it is equally important to work upon it.

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Both of them are trying to teach me their own religion https://theteenagertoday.com/both-of-them-are-trying-to-teach-me-their-own-religion/ Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:56:15 +0000 https://theteenagertoday.com/?p=26725 My parents had an interfaith marriage. What I have realized is that both of them are trying to teach me their own religion.

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My parents had an interfaith marriage. What I have realized is that both of them are trying to teach me their own religion. I feel if I follow any one particular religion, I will be disappointing one parent ultimately. This is confusing me, and I am unable to focus on what I am actually supposed to do.
J.R. (13)

Gathering any information or knowledge is always a good thing, be it religious or non-religious. I understand the dilemma that you are in right now. Irrespective of the faith that you follow, I want to tell you that the premise for all religions is to do good and learn good values, be hardworking and not hurt anyone. I want you to follow these first. As you grow up, you can decide where you feel more inclined. There is no pressure under which you need to follow anything specially now, so do not put yourself under that stress. I understand that you do not wish to hurt your parents, but it would be fair to hear what both of them want to say to you.

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