“Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” ―Ambrose Bierce
Do you notice your teen’s temper skyrocket whenever things do not go their way? Sometimes you can hear them curse and throw a fit even on small problems. While anger is a natural response to frustrating situations, you should teach your teen how to deal with their anger in a positive way. Anger will not bring them anywhere. It will just make things worse than they actually are. Help them control their anger before it controls them. Community Access Network is here to show you how:
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Be a good role model. Teens mimic what their parents do. So make sure that when you are angry, you know how to express it appropriately. Avoid letting your teen see you curse or throw things when you are furious.
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Teach them stress management techniques. Anger is usually a result of feeling too stressed out. One way to cope with stress is by taking deep breaths. Tell your child that whenever they feel an outburst of rage kicking in, they should stop and take deep breaths. This will definitely help calm their nerves.
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Leave them alone. Sometimes, the best way to deal with your teen’s anger is to just let them be. Stressful scenarios can make a person lose their cool. Asking them will just add to the stress. To help your teen deal with their anger, let them spend some time alone. This will allow them ample time to calm down and think of ways on how to work out their issues.
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Let them understand the consequences of their actions. Teach them the golden rule, “Think before you speak.” Words cut like knives. Once you blurt them out, you can no longer take them back. It is easy to say something you will eventually regret when you are angry. So tell your teen that before they say something vicious, they should take a few moments to collect their thoughts before uttering any words.
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Assure them that you will always be there for them. Encourage your teen to open up to you. You can do this by asking them each day about how their day went. Invite them to a meal or a coffee. Spending some time together with your teen is a perfect way to get them to talk about whatever personal conflicts they are facing.
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Do not tolerate bad behavior. Anger is a healthy emotion. It is normal for people, especially teens, to get frustrated and angry. However, this does not mean that you have to tolerate bad behavior. If you see them throwing things or cursing when they are angry, scold them for it. Let them understand that such behaviors are unacceptable.
Community Access Network is a Social Services Organization in California. We offer various social services, including a Youth Development Center. To learn more about our philanthropy, feel free to give us a ring at 951-279-3222.