It isn’t always easy to spot anger issues in our kids. Especially not when hormones kick in. It’s difficult to detect the difference between real rages, and those induced by age. After all, few teen-parents can escape the wrath of anger for long. Suddenly, your happy-go-lucky child will transform into a door slamming, abuse hurtling monster. We’ve all been there.
Sometimes, though, the anger your child expresses is more than usual angst. Left unchecked, they could find themselves in trouble after lashing out in the wrong place. If they start to hurtle abuse at their teaches disciplinary action is sure to follow. They may even become violent with other students if you aren’t careful.
So, what do you do if you think your child has a severe anger problem? For one, it’s important to be understanding here. Even if their temper has left them in trouble, don’t accuse or shout. Do that, and they’re sure to block any further attempts from you. Instead, consider the following ways to tackle the beast.
Get to the root of the anger
Anger is rarely without cause. More often than not, a child will only display in this way if they’re battling with something internally. Are there issues at home which could’ve caused the problem? Bickering parents are sometimes behind issues like these. So, if you and your partner have been arguing in front of the children, it’s time to address any confusion that’s caused. Equally, your child may not be enjoying school. If they’re being bullied, they may be taking their frustration out in different places. Or, perhaps the issue is personal. It may be that they’re lashing out due to an inability to connect with peers, or even due to relationship trouble. Have an open, and frank discussion with the child in question in an attempt to find out.
Help them find better ways to burn it
Whether you find out the cause or not, you should help your child find better ways to direct their emotions. Sometimes, teens experience anger issues because they can’t cope with how they’re feeling. You might not remember it, but hormones are pretty confusing. As such, directing that surplus energy elsewhere could be a huge help. It may be that you buy them art supplies, and encourage a creative outlet. Or, you may go down the literal route, and buy them something like these custom track uniforms. That way, they can run off their rage. Other sports, such as boxing and Karate can also work well here.
Find professional help
If your attempts aren’t hitting the mark, it may be time to call in professional help. Sometimes, it’s better for our teens to talk to a stranger. They may even find it easier to open up that way. This help could take varying forms, from therapy to anger management classes. A mixture of the two may even be the best bet. Make sure your kid is onside with this, then help them find the services necessary.
