Mood swings of young teenagers can make it difficult for both the parents and teenagers. It can be distressing for both parents and teens and both have difficulty in managing the same.

Having an understanding of what is causing these changes will make it easier to face and handle them.

Emotional ups and downs can be caused by
• Hormones – which start the physical changes at puberty, also affect moods and general emotional responses in teens
• The teens worrying about the physical changes affect their emotions
• Skipping meals to loose weight can also affect their moods, making them more irritable.
• Lack of rest leads to moodiness, gloominess, irritability, etc.
• Changes in their thinking. (Thinking abstractly)
• Expectations

To help the teens feel less worried about their feelings parents can make sure the teens eat a well-balanced diet, encourage rest and explain to them about hormones and changes it brings about on your body and emotions.

Parents should be supportive and encouraging, and rather then trying to say everyone has felt what you are feeling now, speak empathically like, I’m sorry about how you are feeling, if you like to talk about what’s troubling you, I would be happy to talk with you.

The expectation of adult behavior from them can put tremendous pressure on young teens and lead to emotional outbursts.

Parents who are lost at how to give teens enough freedom to learn responsibilities while keeping control over behavior that can be damaging, would have it easy if they start early at giving them freedom to make choices according to their age so they are able to make better responsible decisions when they reach 15 years and will not be demanding for more decision making rights.

Avoid pushing your teenage children and instead offer support, encouragement, suggestions and help towards exploring their ideas and making decisions.

Remember as parents and adults always remember to be available for one-to-one conversation when required and restrain from judging teens as ‘bad’, when they are immature, for they are still not adults. They are only teens trying to be adults.

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