How to Have Open Conversations With Your Parents About Your Back

A lot of teens want their parents to understand how they're feeling.

The problem is that many teens never actually tell them.

Not because they're hiding something.

Because they don't know how to put it into words.

You may not even know exactly what you're feeling yourself.

You just know something feels off.

Maybe you're more emotional than usual.

Maybe you're getting irritated more easily.

Maybe you don't want pictures taken.

Maybe you don't want to go swimming.

Maybe you're thinking about scoliosis all the time but pretending you're not.

A lot of teens wait for their parents to magically figure it out.

The problem is that parents can't read minds.

They can usually tell something is bothering you.

What they often don't know is what.

You don't have to sit down and give a perfect explanation.

You don't need a speech.

You don't need all the right words.

Sometimes it sounds more like:

"I've been thinking about scoliosis a lot lately."

"I don't know why, but it's really bothering me."

"I hate how different I feel."

"I keep thinking about my next appointment."

"I don't want people noticing my back."

"I feel sad and I don't really know what to do about it."

Those conversations don't have to be perfect.

They just have to be honest.

Many parents have no idea how much space scoliosis is taking up in their child's mind.

Not because they don't care.

Because their child hasn't told them.

And honestly, most parents would much rather hear the messy truth than have their child sit alone in their room trying to carry everything themselves.

Your parents cannot help with feelings they don't know about.

They cannot understand struggles they never hear about.

And they definitely can't support you if they think everything is fine.

The goal isn't having the perfect conversation.

The goal is letting your parents into your world a little bit.

Because chances are, they want to understand more than you realize.