How do you respond to teen social drama... that's when your teenager is overreactive to everything, exaggerates everything (makes mountains out of molehills), gets all her/his friends in on it, and makes it last much longer than is necessary?
I respond with an equal amount of drama + a huge smile.
Ends the drama pretty quick, especially if I have a mock conversation - mimicing what I've just had to listen to. :)
Sounds ridiculous....but so is the original drama...."so, there!".
Couldn't resist....Peace!
Where did she learn to overreact, exagerate and be dramatic?
I would clue her in that those aren't very good survival skills to get along in the world, and certainly isn't how a mature adult tries to live. As a matter of fact it's pretty universally viewed as the wrong way to live - and even physically has been linked to ulcers, lower cold immunity, back pain among other ailments.
I would also not play into her drama by treating it any larger than it really is - a wisp of air.
It honestly sounds like a typical teenage girl. Enjoy! =)
When she exaggerates something (says a mountain instead of a molehill for example...) ask her how big it really was. Let her rethink everything and ask her to tell you again honestly. Oh, I can't wait for those years =)
The National Geographic magazine, had a GREAT article on the Teenager brain and their development.
Here is the link for the article:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/...
It is good for any parent to read.
Highly recommend this.
Sounds like normal teenage girl behavior to me.
I deal with it by staying out of it as much as possible! I've already been a teenager, I have no desire to go there again :)
Wish I had a pat answer, I try to ignore it but sometimes it's impossible to. All I really can say is I feel your pain. I talk/cry with friends/co-workers who have been there. It helps me cope and get perspective on the situation so sometimes I can see that my dtr(s) is over-reacting and sometimes isn't. Good luck, you're welcome to private message if you ever need to talk - my dtrs are 13 and 14.
Teach empathy. Ask non-judgmental questions. Explore with her how others involved in the drama are feeling, why they might be reacting the way they are, and see if you can help her get some perspective. Take it seriously though. It may look silly from the outside, but it is how she is feeling and very important to her. Don't belittle or mimic. This is a wonderful opportunity to bond, to share in her life. Drama can often hide bullying and other painful facts of the teenage years and this is a great time for us to explore the values we want our kids to have.
My daughters are 16 and 12, so our house is full of drama at times. I treasure the moments we find to talk about it because it gives me a window into their worlds. And it really seems to help.
