As a parent of a teen in the performing arts, you watch your child sacrifice free time, miss out on social events while they pour their heart and soul into preparing for the ultimate big reward. A moment when they get to shine in a performance. When this moment never arrives due to being sidelined by unexpected circumstances it can be heart-wrenching. Their disappointment is palpable and sometimes overwhelming. And while you may feel helpless in such situations, appropriately supporting your teen performer though injury or illness can be crucial.
Here are seven tips to help you best support your teen performer through these tough times.
Listen and Validate Their Feelings
The first step in supporting your teen is to listen actively and validate their feelings. Understandably, they may experience a range of emotions from anger and frustration to sadness and despair. Missing out on something that may have been a large part of their identity may cause them stress and anxiety. Acknowledge their feelings without immediately jumping to solutions or trying to look on the bright side. This empathy shows that you see their pain and that it matters.
Help Them See the Bigger Picture
While it’s essential to acknowledge the immediate pain and disappointment, helping your teen see the bigger picture can also be comforting. Remind them that their journey in the performing arts is just that – a journey. This setback, while significant now, is just one part of their path. Encourage them to think about what they can learn from this experience and to see this as an opportunity to come back even stronger.
Encourage Involvement if Possible
If your teen must miss out due to illness, then it is best they sit out and stay home to keep everyone else healthy. When this is the case, encourage them to provide what support they can to their performing peers whether this is sending treats to the cast or a shout out to a competitor on social media.
If the reason they are missing out of an injury, this doesn’t mean they have to be completely disconnected from the performance. Encourage them to stay involved in any capacity they can. Whether it’s assisting backstage, helping with costumes, handing out programs, or offering support to their peers. This involvement can help maintain their sense of belonging which can help them move away from negative emotions.
Consult with Professionals
Whether it’s a physical injury or an illness, professional guidance is crucial. Ensure your teen follows medical advice even when they don’t want to do so. This may mean rest, physical therapy, or medication. Long term recovery depends on their adherence to expert advice. Additionally, if you see your teen appearing stuck in depression or anxiety about the issue, consulting a mental health professional can be beneficial. They can provide strategies to cope with the emotional toll of being sidelined and help your teen keep things in perspective.
Encourage Creative Outlets
If an injury requires extended time away from the stage, engaging in other related areas of creative expression may take some of the sting out of the recovery time. Encourage your teen to explore other creative skill sets. A dancer might work on choreography. A singer might lean into learning songwriting or an instrument. A musical theater kid and take a monologue or stand up comedy class . A musician can focus on composing. Using this time to dive deeper into different areas of their art can be a therapeutic outlet for their emotions. It can also provide a sense of progress in spite of the extended time away from performing.
Focus on Recovery and Future Opportunities
It’s imperative that your teen allow themselves time to fully heal. This means not jumping back on stage the moment they feel better. If an illness is the cause, ask a medical professional when they will likely be ready to get back at it. And in the case of a communicable illness, when they will no longer be contagious.
For injury, it’s essential that your teen gets the all clear from a medical professional before they head back to rehearsals. Remind them that heading back too soon could backfire and lead to a permanent injury. You may want to speak to the adults who will be working with them regarding the pace and limits while they are building back up to pre-injury level. Setting goals that are realistic and aligned with their recovery process can help your teen see the light at the end of the tunnel and avoid pushing too hard too fast.
Discuss Resilience and Adaptability
Finally, use this experience to discuss resilience and adaptability with your teen. After the initial shock and frustration has worn off, ask them what they’ve learned from this experience. Encourage them to think about how it could make them a stronger performer and person. If they are struggling to do this, reflect on how they’ve adapted in the past and what strategies have helped them and those around them who have been through similar situations cope. Building these skills will not only help them through this tough time but also prepare them for any future challenges.
Conclusion
Supporting your teen performer through injury or illness can be challenging. Your support can make a significant difference in how they process and traverse this setback. By listening, helping them keep perspective, encouraging involvement in other ways, seeking professional guidance, fostering other creative outlets, planning for the future, and teaching resilience, you can help your teen navigate this setback. Remember, the role you play in their recovery and growth is invaluable, and together, you can turn this disappointing moment into a valuable learning experience.
