Teaching teenagers how to handle failure

What is failure?

• Failure is when you don’t achieve what you want.
• Failure is part of life and helps us learn.
• Everyone fails sometimes but we can succeed if we keep trying.

How can failure make teenagers feel?

• Failing at something can make teenagers feel bad.
• For a teenager, a failure could be getting a low score on an exam, missing a goal during a sports game or not finishing school work on time.
• Sometimes teenagers think something is much worse than it really is.
• You can help your teenager see that failing is part of life and helps us succeed.

What to do when your child fails

• Let them talk to you about how they feel.
• Tell them you understand how they feel.
• Tell them you will help them.

What to tell your child

• Everyone fails sometimes.
• Failure helps you learn.
• I will help you.

How to help your child

• Tell them about people you know who have failed but kept on trying.
• Talk about when you have failed.
• Tell them that learning new things takes time.
• Praise your teen when they try hard even if they don’t succeed.

Where to go for help

If your teenager cannot stop feeling sad or worried, please ask for help:

• Talk to your family doctor.
• Talk to your child’s school.
• Contact Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), eheadspace, Lifeline (13 11 14) or KidsHelpline (1800 551 800).