Netflix’s Adolescence Shook Me—Here’s What Every Parent Needs to Hear

My Honest Reaction to Netflix’s Adolescence

I recently sat down to watch the Netflix mini-series Adolescence—partly because of all the widespread discussions it has sparked, coupled with my mission to support families in raising healthy adults.

 

I’m not going to retell the story here.

But let me be honest with you: the first episode hit me hard.

It was raw, confronting, and deeply unsettling. I almost turned it off.

 

Watching a 13-year-old boy face an overwhelming, adult-sized crisis, without the emotional maturity or brain development to handle it—was heartbreaking.  I wanted to yell at the screen “This isn’t right – stop it!”  And yet, that’s the reality so many of our kids are navigating today. Have we created a world where they are asked to make adult choices before they are ready for it?

It's Fiction, But It’s Also the Truth

Yes, Adolescence is fiction—but it’s based on truth. A true representation of  what many young people are living right now. There are four episodes. After the first one, I wasn’t sure I could keep going. You know that feeling when something cuts so deep you want to look away?

But laid up with the flu and home alone, I decided to continue watching.  And I knew my husband just couldn’t watch it with me it would wreck his heart, and I get that! 

 

The whole series was an emotional rollercoaster. If you haven’t watched it yet and decide to—buckle up. It’s gripping. It’s gut-wrenching. And it asks the tough questions we all need to be asking.

 

Even now, as I write this, tears well up. The feelings, the thoughts— the ache lingers.  I

“It’s Just So Hard …”

Later, I found myself talking with friends about it. We’re older parents, and like many, we echoed what our parents used to say: “It’s just so hard for this generation.”

 

But here’s the thing—we can’t stop there.

 

We can’t just say “It’s hard” and shrug.

We ALL must actively support parents, grandparents and carers. 

What Parents Need Now

We must speak life and hope into their role and future. Remind them:

·        You can do this.

·        You do matter.

·        Your child absolutely matters.

There are proven tools, there are proven strategies, and there are people who can be part of your village. Don’t wait until your child hits a crisis—let’s prepare now. 

It’s not the time for passive or permissive parenting, we need to courage parents to be intentional and proactive.

Here’s Where
You Can Start

This is not everything but here’s a starting point: 

·        Set and keep boundaries, even when it’s hard. (Yes, even when they push back about screen time or phones in the bedroom.)

·        Use your voice. (Your voice still matters more than their peers’—don’t surrender it!)

·        Prioritizing connection. (It won’t always be convenient, but it’s always worth it.)

If Adolescence Taught Us Anything…

If “Adolescence” TV series showed us anything, it’s that kids need strong, present, proactive parents more than ever.

 

Don’t slip into passiveness, get equipped and skill up now! 

Learn how to set boundaries well, even with small kids.  That’s the best place to start. 

Let's set up a time to talk and see if we should work together, to raise healthy adults!  

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