8 Ways To Help Your Adolescent Kid Deal With Social And Emotional Changes

Handling an adolescent kid can be tricky for parents at times. They need to be aware of the various biological transformations that their kids go through. 

Most kids experience social and emotional changes and are keen on redefining their relationships with others. Their moods may vary and may become more intense during that phase.

Changes During Adolescence

As they go through biological, cognitive, and social changes, parents find it difficult to communicate with their kids. There could be a misunderstanding in relationships as kids try to seek independence from their parents and prefer to spend more time with their friends and peers. 

Parents might notice frequent mood swings in their kid’s behaviour. For instance, your kid could be feeling confident and joyful to feeling annoyed and depressed in a short span of time. It may occur due to hormonal changes in their body Your adolescent kid may be feeling confused, afraid, or livid and probably not aware of the reason. 

Your adolescent kid could also be exploring romantic relationships and sexuality. At this crucial phase, parents need to develop a strong bond with their kids. With patience and understanding, parents can develop positive relationships with their kids and encourage healthy social and emotional growth.

The article provides tips to parents on how to deal with social and emotional changes in their kids’ behaviour.   

Handling Social and Emotional Changes

Parents need to stay connected with their teens to support their child’s social and emotional development. They can play a huge role in helping their child develop healthy emotions and social skills. Strong relationships with family and friends are vital for a child’s strong progress. 

Here are some suggestions for parents to support their teen’s emotions and friendships.

Be an Example

Set an ideal example before your child by keeping constructive relationships with your friends, extended family members, children, and colleagues. Your child will observe your relationships. He will understand how to respect other people’s feelings and find positive ways of resolving conflict. 

Your child will also learn how to handle difficult emotions. For instance, if you are tired and do not wish to communicate with your kid, you can politely refuse and convince your kid to discuss the subject after some time.

Teach Them the Value of Friendship

You can tell your child what it means to be a good friend. Show him examples of ideal friendships in movies, videos, or other media. You can also read out storybooks that emulate ideal friendships to your kid.

Dealing Tactfully

Show your child that you can interact tactfully in all your relationships. You can demonstrate to your kid that you can be loyal, honest yet be thoughtful of other people’s feelings. Teach them the importance and weightage of spoken words and how the wrong words can hurt the people around them.

Sympathetic Listening

Pay attention to your child’s feelings. Try to immediately respond to your kid when he wishes to talk. If you are busy with some routine work, halt it and take a note of what he wants to say.

Active listening can be a powerful means of consolidating your relationship with your adolescent kid. Try to empathise with your child’s feelings and opinions and attempt to understand his viewpoints, even if it’s not the same as yours. Your kid will gradually start revealing all his thoughts and feelings to you. 

Share your Feelings

Be open about your feelings. Tell your child how you feel when he behaves, in particular ways. Your child will learn to understand your emotions. Gradually, he will know how to interact positively and constructively with other people. 

You can be a role model for him for dealing positively with different emotions and moods. For instance, you can praise your kid by saying that you were happy when he introduced you to his friend. 

Discuss Sexuality

Communicate candidly with your child about relationships and sexuality. Try to look for those everyday times when you can easily discuss these issues. 

Attempt to find out what your child already knows. Clear the doubts and misinformation and give the facts. You can also discuss appropriate sexual behaviour. Try to build trust with your child and let him know that you are always available for him when he raises questions.

Teenagers are often self-conscious about their bodies. So, focus on the non-physical aspects. Be non-judgmental and gradually, you can help positively in your child’s social and emotional progress.

Be Acquainted with your Child’s Friends

Get to know your child’s friends and welcome them warmly in your home. You will be familiar with your child’s social relationships. 

Your child will be happy when he realizes that you are comfortable with his associations. Offer his friends rides to their home or garden. Guide your child towards other social groups. 

But do try to avoid criticising his friends as this could have the opposite effect. 

Support your Kid During Conflicting Times

At times your child could be very moody or simply refuse to listen. In such difficult times, it is best to focus on the positive aspects of your child’s behaviour. For instance, you could praise your child for being a good friend, for pursuing hobbies, his hard work at school, or for his prompt help at home.

The above tips can help parents deal positively with their adolescent kids. With parents’ help, pre-teens and teenagers can cope positively with the social and emotional changes. Try to build trust with your kid and gradually he will learn how to deal with his emotions. Your kid will be no more confused and will be more self-confident and self-assured. 

Please share your inputs in the comments. We look forward to them!