Remember the days when minors were sent out of the room because Ògrown folksÓ were talking? Well, overexposure is today’s new norm. Not only are youth more frequently present during conversations formerly reserved for bill-paying members of the home, but they also have access to a wealth of fact-finding resources—including Google and social media—that further prohibit a parent’s ability to deliver age-appropriate information. Although it’s important to foster a sense of empowerment in children, too much information can have the opposite effect. Studies show exposing kids to toxic stress, or intense adverse experiences for prolonged periods of time, can have negative long-term ramifications. And a recent study by the American Psychological Association titled Are Teens Adopting Adults Stress Habits? found that 83 percent of youngsters identified school—think: academic, sexual and peer pressures—as their source of stress. In short, kids are already consumed with worry and concern about their own problems; they don’t need to pile on those of adults.

Growing up can be tough, so let your mini-me maximize his or her childhood experiences by focusing on issues they can fix. Sharing mature troubles with your children can only result in adding more pressure on those who are not in the position to create change or contribute solution-oriented commentary. Here are seven situations parents should keep close to heart, until absolutely necessary.

>DETAILS OF
DIVORCE
Whether your partner cheated, ruined your finances or unexpectedly abandoned the union, the pitfalls of that relationship have no bearing on the connection between a parent and a child. Keep them separate. Privately vent to friends and family members who are mature enough to support you through this tough time, but separate those emotions when it comes to your
little one.

Read more in the current issue of EBONY Magazine!