It’s not just young children who can take a long time to calm down. When all of us get very upset or angry, we can’t just snap back to being calm immediately.
Teenagers can find it particularly difficult during the emotional and physical changes of puberty. Often, these emotions can feel overwhelming to them.
Things that seem little to us can be huge to them. The more you understand why your child is feeling this way, the easier it is to step in before they feel out of control.
When your child is very upset or angry, you want them to calm down as quickly as possible. But it’s important to look past the behaviour, to find out what it’s telling you. That helps you understand the triggers and plan for them. Often, just thinking about how we talk with our children can help.
There are lots of practical ways you can support your child when they feel very upset or angry.
When your child is distressed, they feel out of control. Your child might prefer you sitting close by, without touching them, or they may like a big hug – you know them best. They may need some time alone, and you can say, “I’m here for you when you’re ready,” and give them the space they need.
Every child is different, so experiment to find out what works best for yours. Find out more about talking to your teenager.
If you are worried about your child’s anger, or they hurt you or others when they feel angry, we have a useful link at the end of this article that will give you further suppor
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