How to Deal with Teenage Mood Swings

Tips for Parents on How to Deal with Teenage Mood Swings

It is quite very common and normal for teenagers to undergo mood swings and be extremely happy one moment and extremely frustrated or sad another moment. They do not know yet how to deal with teenage mood swings of theirs and are figuring their way out of many different things (hormonal changes, most of all).

Each one of us who went through adolescence has gone through these ups and downs in moods and had our own ways on how to deal with teenage mood swings. It might be that some parents might face more struggles on account of their teenagers than others who might have it quite easy.

No matter on which end of the spectrum a parent is, various tips can help them ease the process of turbulent adolescence for their child.

Causes of Teenage Mood Swings: Why Do Teens Have Mood Swings.

  • One of the leading causes of teenage mood swings is considered to be hormonal changes.

Because children are going through hormonal changes in adolescence, their bodies are under great stress. They are experiencing dynamic physical and cognitive development. And sometimes, all this results in uncontrollable moods which come out as backtalk, anger, rudeness, and slamming of doors.

  • Children’s innate idealism is also one of the causes of teenage mood swings.

Childhood was a phase when a child was just getting to know the world and experiencing the joys of spring. However, by the time they reach adolescence, they start to know the complexities of life. They witness double standards, lies, arrogance, selfishness, and in a nutshell, the ambiguities of life. It becomes harder for them to put everything in black and white; now, there has come a shade of grey that is very much confusing and mind-boggling!

Perhaps, hormonal changes in adolescence are nothing in front of the ambiguities and complexities that life presents this generation.

  • When teens interact with new people (sometimes, negative people who are always making fun of them and pulling them down) and experience new things (sometimes, negative things like bullying and confusing things like career and life after school), all of these result in their extreme reactions to everything.

That’s where it becomes more important to know how to deal with teenage mood swings.

When teens figure this out, it becomes easy for them to transform into an adult who is confident and has great communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Both parents and the best schools in India have an essential role to play in this regard.

How to Control Mood Swings?

  • Parents need to be calm and patient while having any kind of communication with their teen, esp. while having a serious conversation and there are chances that the teen backtalks and slams the door (This is not to say that parents should bear with their teen’s indiscipline always, but that parents have a better chance to resolve the issues when they try to understand more than impose themselves on their teen).
  • Parents and teachers can teach teens how to control mood swings by helping them channel all their energy into a constructive hobby instead of aggressive behaviour.
  • Give proper space to teens and involve them in making decisions as they are just starting to explore their independence (Keep letting them know, however, that their parents and teachers are always there for them).
  • The best schools in India also help children come up with their own forms of relaxation techniques to deal with mood swings (Parents can also help their teen to make a list of techniques such as brisk walking, regular exercise, and deep breathing to indulge in).
  • Balanced meals are of utmost importance for a teen (Never let the teen skip breakfast or any other meal of the day, for that matter, and always ensure that their nutritional needs are always met).

At the End of the Day

How to deal with teenage mood swings is more a matter of how the adults around them deal with their anxieties, moods, and insecurities. Also, it is more a matter of understanding instead of passing judgements on a teen’s emotions.

(Also, Read: What is the Importance of Communication Skills for Students?)

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