Your teenager can’t name what they’re feeling. And that’s costing them.

In some households, the focus centres on behaviour and achievement.

Your teenager gets excellent grades, is respectful and follows the rules. But ask them to identify and express their emotions, and they fall silent.

This isn’t a character flaw. It’s a skill gap.

For generations, emotions have been viewed as weaknesses to be controlled. Young people are taught to suppress feelings.

Some are told to be grateful for what they have, regardless of how it makes them feel.

The result is a generation that cannot name their emotions, cannot express needs and cannot ask for help.

Start a one-week challenge. Each day, name one emotion you’re feeling and why. Model this at the dinner table or in regular conversations with your teenager. Notice what shifts when they hear you doing this.