5 Parenting Tips for Teen Anger Issues

Teens normally go through many changes and challenges that can trigger confusion, depression, irritability as well as outbursts of anger. An acceptable level of anger is often experienced by teens during situations where they feel that life is unfair or things are out of their control. It is important for parents to assess whether the anger issues experienced by their teens are already something to be worried about or not. Uncontrolled anger in teens usually leads to uncommon episodes of outburst and aggressive behavior. This type of anger is not at all healthy but rather destructive.

According to Safeyouth.org, many of our teens continue to harm others by engaging in violent crimes. Their survey also shows that between 20-40 percent of boys who commit serious violent crimes by the age of 16 or 17 were violent as children, while 45-69 percent of girls were violent during their childhood. By helping our teens manage and control their anger, they are able to properly deal with anger issues on their own.

Tips for Parents 

1. During difficult and argumentative situations, model appropriate responses to anger. Anger is often contagious and our children mostly copy their behavior from the adults in their lives. That's why it is important for parents to keep their own behavior in check, making sure they consistently manage their own anger in front of their teens. Respond to them in a calm manner and acknowledge your teen's feelings as you converse with them.

2. Help your teens establish stress management techniques. Taking deep breaths or counting are techniques that can help lower stress levels and lets your teens focus on the situation instead of their anger. Let them acquire a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, adequate sleep and a considerable amount of physical activity. It's easier to handle difficult situations when your teens are in the best state of mind.

3. Let your teens learn good communication skills that include listening thoroughly to what the other person means to avoid misunderstandings that may cause arguments. Confirm to the speaker about what they actually want to say can actually prevent a heated situation to escalate. It is important for your teens to avoid getting drawn to the other person's responses based on their emotions.

4. Teens only have a few experiences regarding solving problems especially in the heat of the situation. Discuss to your teens about past situations that they have encountered, without being judgemental. Provide your teens the chance to seek more ways that they could have handled the problem differently and assessing their outcomes in order to learn how to control their anger in the future.

5. Be open about possibilities of disorders in your teens. Anger in your teens may be provoked because of instances such as lack of sleep, poor nutrition or emotional trauma. Some teens may experience symptoms of behavioral disorders like ADD/ADHD, Bipolar or mood swings caused by drug abuse or depression. Take note of signs or symptoms of behavior disorders in your teens so that you can provide your teens with help a trusted health professional.

Anger can be a natural emotion but being hostile is definitely unacceptable. Under any circumstances, an angry teen does not have a right to be hostile to others. That's why it is best to include the presence of a mediator or simply get help if you feel that handling your own angry teen may be unsafe.

It is not easy to understand an angry teen but with continuous persistence on helping them manage their own anger, you are a step away to achieving your goal of raising a less angry teen.