ADOLESCENT

Here is the reality, being a child of an immigrant in the western world is as stressful as parenting a child in the western world. Both the child and the parents are in a particularly unique and complicated situation that requires clear understanding. As a immigrant parent, you have ideals and expectations that aligns with your country of origin. You have attempted to raise your children with these ideals, but now as a teenager, your child seem to have “changed”. You are baffled because “I did not raise him like that” or maybe you are thinking “she should know better.” As immigrant parents, we focus so squarely on our expectations of our children that we forget the cultural, environmental, and social struggles that they have to contend with here in the United States. Let me be frank, there is nothing “normal” about raising your child in any country outside of your country of origin. This is an extraordinary situation that cannot and should not be handled flagrantly. You need someone who has been through the struggles your family is experiencing right now.

Now, if you are here to get your child to act “African” or “act normal like my friend's daughter”, I cannot help you or your child. Why? Because this approach is limiting to your child’s progress and it is frustrating for you. Think about it- are you going through the challenges they are currently facing in school with their peers? Do you have any idea how many times they have been mocked because their last name sound like “poop”? Many immigrant parents can only answer “No” to the posed questions. I am sure you feel the need to “help” your child because you are the parent and you always know best. Well, let me be the first person to break it to you like this: You do NOT speak the language that they understand. Your child loves you dearly, but because of this cultural divide, he/she cannot relate to your expectations and your demands regardless of how reasonable they are. This is where I come in. 

AREAS OF ASSESSMENT

  • Family Dynamic
  • Parent-child relational issues
  • Self-Esteem
  • Anger
  • Lack of motivation
  • Self doubt
  • Runaway
  • Emotional Isolation
  • Depression
  • Oppositional Behaviors
  • Other parental concerns
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