Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

132. Why Isn’t Your Love Enough to Make Your Struggling Teen Choose Better?

Beth Hillman | Parent Coach for parents of struggling teens & Seth Gottlieb Episode 132

It’s devastating to watch your teen struggle and feel like nothing you do is making a difference. You love them more than anything, yet your support, advice, and care don’t seem to make a difference. If you’ve ever thought, Why isn’t my love enough to help my struggling teen?, you’re not alone.

In this episode, Seth and I unpack why struggling teens may reject the love and support they need and what parents can do with this knowledge.

Many parents take their child’s maladaptive behaviors personally, wondering what they did wrong or why their love isn’t enough to bring their child back to stability.

“Until somebody feels that they are worthy of what you are trying to provide, they’re not going to accept it.” - Seth Gottlieb

Seth shares his own experience of feeling so unworthy of love that he couldn’t truly accept the support of those around him. Until a struggling teen believes they are worthy of love, it’s difficult for them to let it in, no matter how much they may need it.

If you feel helpless in your child’s struggle, join us for today’s episode.

In this episode on feeling like your love isn’t enough for your struggling teen to choose better, we explore:

  • Why it can feel like your love isn’t enough to help your struggling teen;
  • How a teen’s self-worth affects their ability to accept love and support;
  • Why struggling teens often push away relationships, even when they need them;
  • The power of witnessing and letting your child know you’re there for them;
  • What to do when your teen isn’t ready for help;
  • And more.


Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

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And remember parents, the change begins with us.

People on this episode