How to Deal with Teenagers’ “Mood Swings”

29th August 2024

1 minute read

How to Deal with Teenagers' "Mood Swings"

Adolescence is an emotional journey filled with ups and downs. For parents, teens’ reactions can sometimes seem exaggerated, especially since some tend to be dramatic and experience severe mood swings.

However, experts say it is important for parents to take their children’s emotions seriously, as this period is characterized by many emotional and hormonal changes that can lead to internal conflicts, requiring parental help and support.

According to the website Parents, which focuses on parent-child relationships, here are some tips for handling this stage of your child’s life:

Active Listening

Avoid stepping in immediately to solve problems. Instead of offering unsolicited advice, try to understand the situation by listening to the details.

Show the teenager that you understand their feelings by saying something like, “Do you mean your teacher was unfair to you because she doesn’t like you?” This type of listening fosters empathy.

Validate the Teen’s Emotions

Even if the teen’s problem seems small to you, don’t belittle it. Instead, acknowledge their feelings by saying, “I can see that you’re upset about what happened today.” This can help them express their emotions better.

Stay Calm

If the teen’s reactions are dramatic, try to stay calm and avoid getting involved in heated conflicts. Postpone the discussion until everyone has cooled down.

Teach Emotional Regulation Skills

Explain that strong emotions don’t justify bad behavior, and help them develop skills to regulate their emotions independently.

Encourage Healthy Social Interaction

If the teen struggles to make friends, they may resort to conflict to gain attention. It’s important to help them learn communication and anger management skills, and encourage them to build healthy friendships.