WHAT TO DO DURING OUR CHILDREN’S ANGER OUTBURSTS?

One morning, I received a message on my phone. I rushed to the scene at lightning speed. The house was full of tension. 16-year-old Ali was constantly arguing with his parents, while his younger brother Kerem was deeply affected by the situation.

Ali’s voice echoed through the house: “You don’t understand me! I want to go out with my friends. I can’t breathe in this house!”

His mother tried to respond calmly: “Ali, we just want to protect you. Adolescence is such a sensitive period. We’re afraid you might make a wrong decision.”

But Ali wasn’t backing down. “I’m grown up now! You just want to control me!” he shouted. That’s when I, Super Bulldog, stepped in. Flashing a big smile, I greeted them with a cheerful “Hello!” and began to speak.

Let’s Pay Close Attention Here!

“Dear parents,” I said, “Behind your child’s words lies a young person striving to grow and become an individual. Understanding them is our greatest strength!”

Turning to Ali, I asked, “Would you like to share more with us? Why are you so angry?”

Ali hesitated at first but then opened up. It turned out he didn’t want to feel distant from his friends but also wanted to earn his family’s trust. At that moment, we found an opportunity for everyone to learn something valuable.

1. The Art of Communication: Touch Their Emotions

I told Ali’s parents, “Ali expressing his feelings openly is an opportunity for you. Instead of imposing, why not ask questions that show you understand his emotions?”

Here are a few examples I shared with them:

“We want to understand you. Could you share a bit about how you’re feeling?”

“How can we solve this together? Shall we make a plan as a team?”

2. Balance Between Boundaries and Freedom

Then I turned to Ali: “You want to spend time with your friends, and that’s great! But your family is also trying to protect you. We can establish a balance between freedom and responsibility.”

I suggested this to his parents: “Let’s create a schedule for Ali. Knowing where he is will strengthen your trust in him. At the same time, Ali will feel free.”

Ali nodded in agreement. Everyone accepted this idea.

3. Be Positive Role Models

“Never forget that younger siblings like Kerem carefully observe their older brothers or sisters,” I said to Ali’s parents. “Your calmness and patience will set an example for both Ali and Kerem.”

I emphasized the importance of staying calm during arguments. After all, children often replicate what they see.

4. Plan Shared Activities

Lastly, I suggested: “Spending time together as a family can reduce tension. Discover Ali’s interests. Perhaps watching a basketball game together or organizing a movie night could be a great start.”

This suggestion brought excitement to the family. Ali was thrilled with the idea of watching one of his favorite movies with his parents.

5. Set Small Goals

Another way to reduce family tensions is by setting small, achievable goals. I said to Ali, “For a week, let’s try sitting together at the dinner table every evening and sharing how our day went. Small steps can open the door to big changes.”

Ali’s parents immediately agreed. This was a step toward strengthening their communication.

6. Support Your Children’s Emotional Intelligence Development

It’s important for children to understand and express their emotions. I suggested to Ali’s parents: “Let’s create a ‘feelings hour’ every day where we share our emotions as a family. Simple questions like ‘How did you feel today? Why did you feel that way?’ can make a big difference.”

This practice could create a habit that fosters emotional intelligence for both Ali and Kerem.

The End of the Story: The Storm Calms Down

After all these suggestions, the family sat down for a calm dinner. Ali realized that his parents were starting to understand him. His parents, in turn, recognized that Ali was growing up and decided to build healthier communication with him. Meanwhile, Kerem watched everything unfold and smiled with joy.

“This is it!” I said. “When we work together, every problem can be solved.”

My Heartfelt Thanks to Parents

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this story. I truly believe that love, patience, and understanding will strengthen the bond with your children. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with other parents. Remember, we’re all companions on this journey, and sharing is a powerful step toward building a better future for our children.

With love 🐾,

Super Bulldog