How to Talk to Your Adult Child About Your Grandchild's Warning Signs

You're a grandparent, which means you have been through all of this before. The teenage years of turmoil are no stranger to you. But what if you get the impression that there is something more serious impacting your teenage grandchild?

If you sense that your grandchild is struggling with their mental health or another serious issue like drug use, do not be afraid to reach out to their parent (your child) right away so they can get help. Talk to your child about some of the signs you have noticed in your grandchild. They may affirm your worries, but in some cases, they may refute them whether out of denial or because they simply haven't noticed the changes.

If your grandchild’s parent isn't willing to hear you out, reach out to their spouse about it - they may be more open to hearing you voice your concerns. It may help to go into either conversation with some printouts about the symptoms you’ve noticed and what they could be a sign of. And if you know a mental health professional, reach out for some insight and see if they validate your concerns or attribute them to normal teenage behavior.

Even if your grandchild's struggles end up being general teenage issues and not anything more serious, they could still benefit tremendously from therapy, as any current struggles could lead to bigger issues. Although you will not know the potential problem at hand until they receive a formal mental health assessment. So, if the most you can do now is help convince anyone involved to make that happen, this is a great first step.