Your teens (ages 13 to 18)

What you might see (and it's normal)

Pulling away. Irritability or anger. Risk-taking. Swinging between acting much older and much younger. Feeling overwhelmed. Or insisting they're fine when they're clearly not.

What helps

• Make room to talk without forcing it. Being available matters more than getting them to open up on your schedule.
• Take their feelings seriously, even the ones that seem dramatic.
• Let them help. Teens often cope best by doing something useful.
• Keep expectations steady but flexible.
• Watch for alcohol or drugs as a way to cope, and don't take their withdrawal personally.

Why this happens for them

Teens process a disaster a lot like adults do, but with less practice managing feelings this big. Staying available without pushing is the balance that works.