As a parent, there are times when you have to be the bad guy. And yes it’s going to cause some tension. But if you want to keep things civil during that rebellious teen years, here are tips on how you can handle your angry teenager without losing your cool and without making them hate you for it.
1. Keep your cool. When your teenager is displaying an angry attitude, just let it flow over you like water off a duck’s back and don’t take it personally. Remember, they’re just being teenagers – it’s not directed at you personally.
2. Don’t take things personally. It may seem odd to tell parents not to take things personally from their teenagers, but this is one of the most important tips for handling an angry teenager.
3. Don’t defend yourself or justify yourself: The whole point of this tip for handling an angry teenager is not to get into a heated argument with him or her…so why start defending or justifying yourself? Your teenager won’t hear a word you’re saying anyway if you do get into a heated argument with him/her so don’t even bother wasting your time.
4. Listen to your teenager. Give your teen time to talk about what’s bothering him or her. If you don’t understand, ask questions. Parents should give their children an opportunity to talk out the problem without interruption. This helps the child feel safe enough to express his or her feelings. If a parent constantly argues with the teenager over every little thing, the child will avoid talking altogether. It is important to listen with an open mind and try to see things from your teen’s point of view before responding.
5. Ask questions if you’re concerned about something your teen says or how they’re feeling. Don’t ask questions just to get the upper hand in an argument though; look out for genuine concerns that you might want to address without bringing everyone’s emotions into it.
