5 Ways Parents Can Help Their Teens Manage Anger

Teenagers have a lot to be angry about but they are among the worst at expressing it. Adolescence is a confusing time as teenagers learn to manage physical and mental changes, growing responsibilities, and social pressure all while figuring out who they are and how they fit in. Teenagers express their anger in different ways. As a parent, you know when you teenager is upset. Some explode for all to see and hear while others keep to themselves and shut everyone out. Regardless of how they express anger, it can be a frustrating and overwhelming experience for both teenagers and parents. For parents, it can be difficult to handle your teenager’s anger, especially if it is directed at you. So what can you do to help you teen manage their anger?

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Understanding Teen Disrespect

When I was about 25 I got a job working at a wilderness camp for juvenile delinquents between the ages of 13 and 17. These kids already had disturbingly long rap sheets–battery, multiple court violations, truancy, theft, possession of narcotics, etc. Many of them had been sent to the camp involuntarily by a judge. After my first few days I remember trying to speak to one particular teenager about something. As I spoke he interrupted me over and over again with loud engine roaring sounds to drown out what I was trying to say. He looked me right in the eyes as he was doing it with a “what you gonna do about it?” look on his face. I was blown away by this level of disrespect.

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How to Talk to your Teen About Going to Counseling

For dedicated parents it is important that they feel that they are doing everything they can to help their teenager through life’s troubles. When parents feel at a loss when confronted with their teenager’s problems they often search for professional help. However, when they speak to their teenager about it he or she is insulted and dead-set against it. Teenagers may simply refuse to go or become enraged with the possibility of going to counseling. This unfortunate reaction puts a frustrating obstacle in the way of parents trying to help their teenagers, especially in the case of older teenagers that you cannot physically force to go.

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