Difficult Teens and How to Handle Them

Attitudes in Teens and How to Handle Them

The eye rolls, the huffs, and the 'whatevers.' We've all expressed these when we were teenagers and now are at the receiving end of them from our own teens. These could be infuriating behaviors for parents, but also signs that your teen is experiencing their own growth to maturity, by pressing the boundaries.

So what is going on?

Moods swings in teens is a normal process in development due to: --Hormone fluctuations

--Learning independence

Emotionally, your teen may feel like they are stuck in between childhood and adulthood. They may feel like they have no choices and feel like their parents are still treating them like children. Other the other hand, parents may feel like their teens will always be their babies and want to do all they can to shelter them by 'fixing' their problems for them. Although, to help our teens grow into capable, responsible adults, giving them choices and modeling behaviors are two ways to help ease the tensions within the household.

How to Handle the Bad Moods and Behavior Fluctuations

There are several ways to help yourself and your teen make it through this period of time, including:

--Help your teen eat well balanced meals

--Help your teen get enough sleep

--Be sure your teen is getting enough exercise and

-- positive social engagements

--Teach them stress management skills; through exercise, meditation, time management skills

--Choose your battles wisely, meaning, focus on the boundaries about getting his homework done before playing video games instead of his/her apathetic attitude about getting it done.

--Identify negative emotions and how you process through them so they could model your behavior

--Seek professional help when your teen's bad attitude causes extensive family conflict or makes it difficult for him/her to succeed at school

--Give yourself a beak and take care of yourself during this challenging time. It will pass!

Conclusions

It's important to remember those times when your family was more cohesive and happy as a unit. Incorporate those activities into your lives again. Have family board game nights, play sports together, attend religious services or volunteer together. Also, set healthy boundaries where there are times without electronics into your family times. Your teen needs boundaries and guidance from you, but also acknowledgment of their positive achievements. It's ok not to like everything that your teen does or says. They are human after all and so are you!