For any peacetime family, the stages of teen development are among the most difficult challenges.
Young girls and boys are crossing the threshold into childhood, searching for themselves, their hormonal systems are changing, and their priorities and values are rearranging.

The hardships of war are further layered on top of them. The first thing a Ukrainian teenager encounters in warfare is the initiation ritual.
Since ancient times, the coming of age of young men and women has been associated with performing the first difficult tasks of the adult world. What could make them grow up faster than war?
There are many examples of heroism displayed. There are not a few teenagers who help children and the elderly escape from their destroyed houses, despite being under powerful fire from the aggressor, risking, even losing their lives.
There is a great desire on the part of Ukrainian boys to volunteer and take part in fighting. By fighting they want to protect their family and friends from the invaders who started this insane war.
The coming of age of teenage refugees who are forced to go abroad is also dramatic. This is felt on the very first day of their departure from their homelands.
In the new setting, they seek to replace the father as the head of the family, taking on the full responsibility of protecting and providing the bare necessities for both their mothers and younger siblings.
Relocating Young Refugees
Crossing borders to the rumble of explosions, with constant checks at military checkpoints, young people are beginning to rethink their fate.</p
Now they have new goals, new principles, new thoughts aimed at their survival.

In Bulgaria, refugees are facing a variety of scenarios. Some are allocated free of charge to hostels, others rely on their savings, if they have managed to take them with them, and have the option of renting an apartment.
There are also families meeting new, well-meaning friendships and partnerships.
Given all these new circumstances, the overall change in their lifestyles, and the constant thought of whether they will make it, teens have too many worries and responsibilities heaped on them, and feelings of uncertainty and instability emerge.
This insecurity is inherent in adolescents even in normal environments. However, when all the responsibility is heaped on them, the problem is greatly amplified.
The insecurity starts with seemingly simple things like not being able to dress as stylishly as you used to or having basic medical problems.
There are increasing cases of young people forced to emigrate who report an increased sense of helplessness and even an onset of panic.
In the face of this stress, the question arises for them of how to behave with their families, and especially with their mothers.
How would their maximalism manifest itself in these difficult and hard to understand conditions? Doubts arise as to whether someone would take advantage of their powerlessness and naivety?
Refugee and volunteer centers in Bulgaria provide free psychological services, but personal and interpersonal difficulties remain because they are always individual.
Professional path and realization
Teens are not only concerned about issues regarding their education at their new school, learning the language or getting along within their family.
They are already at an age where they are thinking about the path to take towards their career.

Finding their calling is a priority. Of course, this cannot be done under extreme living conditions, when they face all the inconveniences and consequences of war in their daily lives and the constant stream of negative news from home.
Many young refugees postpone their professional growth for another year. Circumstances have pressured them to take any job that can cover their needs and those of their families. Priorities are now different, creative skills remain only a dream.
It’s important to reach out to them, to help them in any way possible, whether it’s in their daily lives, their inner balance, or discovering their talents.
This is a noble yet attainable goal that we can all accomplish.