The Best Ways to Handle Your Teenager When They Are “Angsty”

We’ve all been through it. We were once adorable little kids that loved crayons, laughed at simple things, and showered our parents with love and affection. But then.. puberty hit. And bless our parents, they had to endure years of angsty-adolescence-shenanigans. Well, karma might have come full circle in your life, and you might be experiencing the same shenanigans, but with your own kids now. So… how do you respond in a constructive way to your teens when they are acting unruly?

First, pick your battles, not every action deserves a reaction. According to Rachel Simmons, author of “The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls With Courage and Confidence.” Push back when something compromises the moralities of the household, like insulting someone’s looks or not doing chores.

Give your child the silent treatment with “the hand,” hold your hand up signaling that your stopping to think before you respond. Short responses like “cut it out” or “we’re not having this discussion now” prevent an argument.

Replacing the bad with the good, when bad behavior is displayed explain to the child how they should’ve responded and reward good responses.