FollowHow to Deal with Teenage Mood Swings
Oh those wonderful teenage years! Ok maybe they are not so wonderful after all. If you are the parent of a teenager, you probably have noticed how they sometimes are calm and easy-going while other times they turn into Jekyll and Hyde. Understanding that mood swings are part of puberty and hormones doesn’t always make things any easier. Luckily, there are some ways that parents can deal with teenage mood swings.
Talk to Them About Your Own Experiences- Talking to your teen about how you felt when puberty started, may help to lessen some of the fear they may have. Talk to them about the changes they are experiencing and that it is normal to go through these changes. Acknowledge that you are aware of how difficult it can be when your body goes through all these changes.
Listen and Support Them- There are times when teenagers have mood swings simply because things are not going their way or they think no one listens to them. While it is easier said than done, don’t react to their mood swings since this usually just makes things worse. Don’t be judgmental but instead just listen to what they have to say. Sometimes all they want is someone to listen without interrupting.
Encourage Them to Keep a Journal- Encourage your teen to keep a private journal of their thoughts and emotions. Many times teens really can’t justify why they have certain emotional reactions or why they feel the way they do. By writing things down in their journal, they are able to release some of their abundance of emotions and their stress in a productive and creative way. If they are worried about someone reading their journal, they can do it on the computer, protected with a password.
Make Sure They Are Eating Right and Exercising- It is important that you are aware of what your teen eats and doesn’t eat. Pay attention to how healthy they eat and whether or not they skip meals completely. A good diet can make a difference in their overall mood. Also, make sure your teen is active since exercise is not only a stress reliever but a mood booster as well.
All those things are important as they do affect your kids mood. Sometimes just having someone who will listen makes all the difference. I’ve noticed when I talk less and listen more my son shares much more with me. He is more likely to share his thoughts and feelings when I’m not offering solutions and interjecting my opinions on things.
So true. I find that at times my kids seem to become overwhelmed when I talk to them.
Being one and having one is so scary for me. I knew that when I was a teenager I hated everyone and liked no one. I had a huge attitude but I was grateful my mom pretty much ignored me and told me I could sleep outside if I didn’t like the rules…..I didn’t want to sleep outside so I listened lol. Great post!
Ah to be a teen again and be moody and happy then moody and happy 🙂 Something we all go through to varying degrees I’m sure. Writing definitely helped me work through my moody times!
I definitely remember being a moody teenager myself! Those must not have been very fun years for my mother. These are great tips for when I have a teenager one day! 😀 THanks
I work with teens everyday and what most of them have in common is that they want someone to listen to them and accept them for who they are. They want to see themselves belonging. What do is giving a listening ear so that they can feel comfortable to talk and let their true personality shine. You have some great points and hope people use them.
Emotions are really powerful and it must be controlled. This is something that each teenage must understand. We need to control our emotions, rather than our emotions controlling us.
Bring a teenager is so hard, especially when hormones make you feel like everything that is happening is the end of the world. I didn’t really understand that until I got pregnant and struggled through postpartum depression. I think encouraging teenagers to serve others is important. If they are able to get some perspective and realize that there are bigger things going on in the world, I feel like their attitude always changes for the better.
These are great tips for dealing with teenage mood swings. I remember how awful my mood swings were when I was a teenager. It can be a hard time for teenager and parent to go through.
Ah, I am so not sure I am ever going to be ready for the teenage years. They are approaching fast and oh man. Haha. These boys will be a handful for sure.I was a moody teenager and if my son is anything like me… I’m in trouble! Thank you for sharing these tips!
Some days are tough but we get through them. Good luck!