Ways Parents Can Handle Anger in Teens
Raising teens can be hard, especially when it comes to dealing with anger. It’s normal for teens to feel frustrated or even angry from time-to time—but when these outbursts start leading to fights or harming themselves and others, clearly something needs to change! Thankfully, there are ways that parents can tackle anger management in teens in an effective and healthy manner. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to control anger in teens in order to help them live a happier life.
What Are Some of the Main Causes of Anger in Teens?
Teenagers can face a wide range of emotions as they transition into adulthood, including feeling overwhelmed with anger.
There are multiple factors that may contribute to teen anger, such as stress from school or disillusionment with parents’ expectations. Oftentimes, teens have difficulty regulating their emotions and they may become quickly frustrated or angry with themselves or others in response to setbacks.
Frequently occurring psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety can play a significant role in teen anger, as well. In some cases, teens may also be responding subconsciously to unresolved childhood trauma or abuse. If you suspect this is the case for your teenager, getting some professional help from teen counselling services in Burlington might be a good idea.
How Can Parents Handle Anger Issues in Teens?
So, how can you handle your angry teen? It’s important for adults to create an environment in which teens feel comfortable expressing their feelings and emotions without fear of judgment in order to prevent explosive outbursts of pent-up anger. Here are some helpful tips:
Don’t Ignore the Problem
The first step that parents can take when dealing with anger management in teens is to not ignore the problem. It’s important to address the issue head-on and to talk to your teen about what they’re feeling and why they’re feeling it. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse and could lead to your teen acting out in ways that are harmful to themselves or others.
Model Positive Behaviour Yourself
One of the best ways for parents to control anger in teens is to be a good role model. If parents are able to handle their own anger in a healthy and constructive way, it will set a good example for their teen. Additionally, parents should avoid using anger as a way to control or manipulate their teen.
Listen Without Interrupting or Judging
It is also important that parents try to listen to their teen when they are angry. This can be a difficult task, as teens often don’t want to talk about what is making them angry. However, if you can get your teen to open up and communicate with you, it will be much easier to help them resolve their anger issues.
Try to Understand Their Perspective
It can be helpful to put yourself in their shoes and to try to see things from their point of view. This doesn’t mean that you have to agree with everything your teen is feeling, but it can help you to better understand where they’re coming from.
Communicate Openly and Honestly
Another way for parents to handle angry teens is to communicate openly and honestly with them. This means being willing to listen to what they have to say, even if it’s something that makes you angry. Ask them directly how they’re doing and what they’re thinking.
Help Them Identify Their Triggers
One way that parents can control anger in teens is by helping them to identify their triggers. What are the things that tend to set them off? Once they know what their triggers are, they can then start to work on avoiding or managing them in a more constructive way.
Teach Them Healthy Coping Mechanisms
It’s also important for parents to teach their teens healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with their anger. This might include things like deep breathing exercises, walking away from the situation, or writing down their thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Seek Professional Help If Necessary
If your teen’s anger issues are severe or if you feel like you’re not able to handle the situation on your own, it’s important to seek professional help. There are many teen therapists in the Burlington or Hamilton area who specialize in anger management in teens. Getting professional help for your teen can make a big difference in their overall well-being.
Contact Family Matters Centre for Teen Counselling in Burlington
If you’re looking for how to control anger in teens, contact Family Matters Centre in Burlington. From frustration and overthinking to dealing with parental expectations to facing peer pressure, our well-trained therapists for teens in Burlington can help your child get through the challenges that life throws their way.
We offer a safe space where all feelings can be discussed without judgement, so that no matter what’s going on in your child’s life right now, our parenting therapists in Burlington are always willing to listen.
If you’re looking for teen counselling services in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.
by Shari Markovich
Shari is a Child Therapist who has worked with children and adolescents for more than 20 years. She uses a variety of counselling modalities, including Theraplay®, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Family Systems. She is motivated to work with children and parents so families can function in healthy and supportive ways.