How do you personally cope with the emotional intensity of having to deal with disrespectful kids?

[RxR0954]

I’m a counsellor, i’m not a teacher, but recently i taught my first psychoeducation workshop session to a group of disrespectfulass teenagers (apparently them kids were forced by their teachers and parents to attend my workshop) and they got me feeling so triggered and frustrated for 20 times in just under an hour. One of the kids literally stared at me dead in the eye and ripped my worksheet right in front of my face. And the rest was a horror story for another day. Just a few more weeks and im out of this nightmare. I’m not seeking advice on how to deal with the kids or looking for specific bullshit relaxation strategies. Just wondering how do you folks (ones who have kids or work with difficult and disrespectful kids) deal with the emotional intensity of constantly and repeatedly having to address the behaviors of the kids?

[Bitter_Sweet94]

I try to stay grounded, because if I match their energy, I lose myself in the process.

When a kid is being disrespectful, I remind myself it’s rarely about me, it’s their frustration, their environment, their lack of emotional tools.

That distance keeps me from taking every comment personally.

I also set clear boundaries, not harsh, just steady.

Kids actually feel safer around adults who stay consistent, even when the situation is messy.

And when it gets overwhelming, I step back for a moment, breathe, and reset.

You can care without carrying everything on your shoulders.

[siezuresalad]

You're reacting to it which is what they want. look at them as being desperate for attention and as overgrown babies. They're emotionally immature, full of hormones fucking them all up and trying to get through the hardest years of their life.

[jahaims]

You take it personally instead of seeing the situation for what it is

[RxR0954]

honestly next time im gonna give all of them the chance to leave at the beginning cuz i can’t deal with this

[NathanDavis]

I just keep reminding myself... they're the kids, and I am the adult

[Snowman84]

Sounds like a difficult job