Handling Behaviour Issues In Your Teenager

It is hard to sometimes believe that your little obedient innocent child grows up to be a moody antisocial teenager. However, teenager behavior problems are very common and as a parent you must understand that your adolescent is going through a complex phase of his / her life.

Teenager Behavior Issues

It is common adolescent behavior to be disrespectful, rebellious and often aggressive and it is important as parents to know where to draw the line. Behavior issues in teens arise due to a number of reasons, such as, change in body image, confusion over the future and career, peer pressure, parental pressure, social media and internet, depression and so on. Unlike child behavior problems, where it was a tab bit easier to make your child understand, behavior issues in teens can be slightly more complicated to understand and handle. Before understanding how to deal with teenagers, it is important to understand what entails typical teenage behavior and what some of the teenage behavior problem symptoms are.

Also Read: 20 Most Common teenage Girl Problems and Solutions

1. A sense of dislike towards parents and family

   You may notice that your teen does not want to go with you places, does not like to sit and talk to you or is not interested to participate in family matters. It gives you a feeling that your child that used to cuddle to you after coming back from school does not at times even acknowledges your presence

2. Gadgets and Smartphones

   It appears to you that your teenager does nothing the full day except stays glued to his/her laptop or phone. They seem less communicative directly and have their entire attention on their gadgets

3. Hanging out with friends

   Your teen is more interested in spending time with the gang of friends than with you or the family. More so, very often, you find that your teenager likes the company of friends that you do not approve of. They love to hang out late and with friends you do not trust much

4. Extreme behavior

   A little something can tip them off. It could be as simple as readjusting their shelf or putting particular attire for washing that could make them angry and snap at you like never before

However, there are also other serious teenage behavior issues, such as, ADHD, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, eating disorder and also depression, which may need counseling and medical advice.

Teenage Behavior Management Strategies

How to deal with disrespectful teenage behavior? How to help your teen make the correct decisions and choices? It may seem a daunting task; however, you can make the relationship with your teenager less bumpy and help him/her out by keeping a few things in mind.

1. Never take the disrespectful or hurtful behavior personally. Understand that your teen still needs and loves you, but is at a crossroad in life when he/she cannot express it neither understand it fully. Shouting back every time your teen shouts at you or being physically abusive will not help the teen. Instead, counter their aggression with calmness. Be stern about what type of behavior you will allow, at the same time do not dramatize the situation
2. Try and have some rules regarding use of mobile phones and laptops at home. Build in some parental control measures if you think your teen is into online stuff that you do not approve of. However, your teen will follow by example. You must try to communicate with your adolescent and make sure that at meal times or holidays you spend quality time together
3. Be a little flexible with your rules and perception. If your teenager wants to stay out late one day, or wants to pierce her nose, understand the circumstances and let go sometimes. Laying too much stress on perfecting rules may lead to more rebellion by the teen
4. Do not preach, neither trivializes the emotions of a teen. The teenager needs empathy and a listening loving adult. Sermonizing constantly about how your teen waste time or takes high school relations too seriously is not a great way to build a rapport with your teen

Also Read: Why Your teenager Needs Space?

Your teenager needs to know that you are making all the effort from your end to ensure that the communication lines are open, that you are there for him/her at all times and that you care. Be patient, respect and support your teenager to weather the tide.

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