By Jaime Herndon

The teen years are full of ups and downs, but what happens when your teenage niece or nephew seems to be in a cycle of negativity? A new study cited by MedLine Plus found that conflict at home can increase the risk of school problems for up to two days. The reverse is also true; problems at school can lead to conflicts at home. These effects are especially true if the teen has symptoms of anxiety or depression.

What can you do, as an aunt? This can feel tricky, since you don’t want to step on the toes of the parents. If you’ve noticed some school difficulties with your niece or nephew, gently ask them about it, even in indirect ways: What are you loving this school year? What’s your least favorite part of the day? Do you have any plans that you’re excited about? Showing a genuine interest in them and letting them feel they can talk to you without fear of judgment can help your niece and nephew feel safe with you. Talk about ways to juggle all their responsibilities or concerns. Be a positive role model in handling stressors and conflicts in your own life. If you’re especially worried about something, ask their mom or dad if they’ve noticed anything out of the ordinary. It can be a bit harder when the conflict is at home. Let your niece or nephew know they can come to you with any concerns or if they need to talk. If they’ve just had an argument with their parents, talk with them about different points of view and different ways to look at the situation.

By helping teens better manage conflicts and concerns, you can help improve multiple aspects of their lives, like school and family.

Photo: photostock
Published: October 29, 2014