How to Deal with an Emotional Teen

Adolescence can be hard for many. Nothing in the world is right, no one understands them, and they can't seem to shake their pesky parents. As a parent, you may feel the teen years can be turbulent. Follow some simple steps to help you deal with a moody teen and make life easier for both of you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Give the teen their personal space. Let them come to you when they want to talk and try to maintain a safe distance.
2. Avoid offering advice on unsolicited things. Understand that the teen's world is filled with contradictions and new feelings, and they must come to some conclusions on their own.
3. Afford them a certain amount of personal freedom while still representing your values and ideals. Praise your teen for accomplishments and encourage their hobbies or interests even if you don't understand them.
4. Foster a friendship with your teen that is built on mutual trust. Keep the line between your role as authority figure clear so they do not try to take advantage of your bond.
5. Discipline your teen as necessary and recognize that a moody teen will not like anything you have to say eighty percent of the time. Stick to your guns and follow through with punishments and rewards. Deal with them fairly.
6. Remember that your moody teen just wants to be loved, valued, and given the opportunity to grow as THEIR OWN person. Support them and be understanding of their turbulent emotions and don't expect to have them on your side all the time, this is unrealistic.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect that your teen might have an issue they want to discuss, try and bring it up in a nonchalant way; this method will open the door to discussion and they can walk through if they want.
• Relate your teenage experience when appropriate, so they can see their behavior and feelings are typical to the experience of adolescents. Don't be surprised however if they call you "dorky" or refer to you "living in the past."
• If they have a complaint about the way they are treated, or lament about how life isn't fair. Listen to them and understand their point of view and stay open to their concerns, however maintain your stance and follow through on your word.
• Set a good example for the teen to follow, and be the stable source that the teen can turn to for solid advice and good role modeling.
• Do not overlook prolonged periods of depression, erratic behavior, drug use, alcohol abuse, or breaking the law. Try and help the teen deal with the problem and seek professional help if necessary.
• The more you try to smother a teen, the further away they will become. Do not pry in their lives too aggressively (unless you have reason to suspect illegal activity-alcohol, drugs, theft, etc.)