How to React to Your Teen’s Big Emotions 

Adolescent development is accompanied by a whirlwind of uncontrollable emotions, and not only is this hard for the teen to deal with but their parents too. 

What can you do to help control their emotions? 

Teenagers are often looking for someone to understand them, so they don’t feel alone in these emotional changes. Growing up is tough, and having a lack of control of their emotions can make them even more frustrated. They don’t always understand why they are feeling a certain way, so try providing the validation they need. 

Listen Carefully

By giving your full attention and listening to their thoughts, you’re instantly showing that your teen’s emotions are valid. You might not necessarily understand the way they feel, but showing you’re listening and paying attention to what they’re saying makes them feel important. 

Communicate

Reflect on your conversations and ask questions about how they’re feeling. Talking about it ensures you know exactly how they feel without any misinterpretations. Asking questions will give them a sense of validity and show that you want to help and understand what you can both do to make it more manageable. 

Normalise Their Emotions

Teens will often get more frustrated as their feelings and emotions ‘don’t make sense, and because they feel like this, they will often presume others are thinking the same. Make sure you normalise their feelings whilst still showing some sympathy. However, saying things like "we’ve all been through it: or "it happens to everyone" can be perceived as patronising or underestimating their feelings. 

Communicate Additional Factors and the Potential Effect on Their Mood

Discuss additional factors that might be affecting their emotions. Have they just done badly on a school test? Have they got a party next weekend, and they are getting anxious about it? These small troubles to us are magnified for teens, as they don’t have a lot of other worries to focus on. Talk about their upcoming events or things happening in school and consider if any of these small subjects might be influencing their emotions.