Facing these emotions, parents’ coping methods are crucial, as inappropriate responses can exacerbate children’s negative emotions and even affect their mental health.
According to psychological theories, adolescence is a critical period for personality formation and emotional stability. Erikson’s psychosocial development theory suggests that the main challenge of adolescence is forming a sense of self, so mood swings during this stage are a normal psychosocial phenomenon.
At the same time, the academic pressure faced by high school seniors can potentially lead to negative emotions. Additionally, it is common for high school students to seek independence during this stage of psychological development, which may create barriers in communication with parents.
Therefore, experts advise that it is essential for parents to understand, accept, and provide proper guidance for their children’s negative emotions.
When children are anxious: Provide stable support
Children often feel anxious due to uncertainty about the future. This uncertainty can stem from various factors, such as academic pressure, family expectations, or simply feeling unprepared to face new challenges.
Parents can help children feel secure by providing a stable family environment where they feel loved and accepted. A warm and supportive family space will help build their self-confidence, making it easier to face anxieties and challenges.
Work with your child to create a study plan, breaking long-term goals into achievable short-term goals. Each time your child accomplishes a small goal, offer praise and encouragement.
Additionally, encourage your child to engage in physical activities and pursue their hobbies. These activities not only help reduce stress but also provide opportunities for relaxation and energy release.
Children often feel anxious about their future.
When children don’t achieve their goals: Stimulate intrinsic motivation
Parents should focus on stimulating their children’s passion for learning by respecting their choices, offering support, and encouraging self-exploration.
This means guiding and accompanying your children as they discover their true interests and passions. When children feel that their opinions and preferences are respected, they will be more confident in pursuing their passions, leading to more natural and sustainable development.
At the same time, parents should avoid overusing rewards to prevent children from becoming dependent on external incentives. Too much focus on rewards can lead to children studying only for immediate benefits without understanding the intrinsic value of learning.
This can result in a lack of self-motivation and intrinsic motivation, as children will seek rewards instead of finding joy and satisfaction in learning and self-improvement.
Parents should focus on stimulating their children’s passion for learning.
When mood swings occur: Develop emotional regulation skills
Parents can teach children various emotional regulation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, and emotional release methods. These methods help children recognize and manage their emotions, providing them with useful tools to cope with stressful situations in their daily lives. Encourage your child to focus on their breath and the present moment to reduce anxiety and stress.
When your child experiences mood swings, remain calm and guide them to express their emotions instead of suppressing them. Sometimes, children may find it challenging to articulate their feelings, which can lead to emotional outbursts or uncontrolled behavior.
In such cases, it’s crucial for parents to stay calm and create a safe space for their children to share their emotions. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and assure them that it’s normal and acceptable to have emotions.
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their emotions, such as, “How do you feel when that happens?” or “Is there anything that’s bothering you?”. These questions will make your child feel cared for and more inclined to share.
Boosting self-confidence: Positive affirmation and realistic expectations
Parents should focus on their children’s strengths and progress, offering positive feedback and affirmation. When children feel that their efforts are recognized and appreciated, they will be motivated to continue striving and overcoming challenges in their studies and life.
To achieve this, parents should offer specific and sincere words of praise, such as, “You did a great job on this math problem; I’m proud of how you found the solution,” or “I’ve noticed your improvement in literature; keep up the good work!”.
Be your child’s companion on their journey to adulthood.
Specific praise motivates children and helps them understand their strengths. However, parents should avoid excessive criticism. While pointing out mistakes is necessary, being too harsh or critical can make children feel insecure and hesitant to face challenges.
Instead of criticizing, focus on guiding your child to find solutions and improve. For example, if your child makes a mistake on a test, analyze the cause together and find ways to correct it, rather than simply pointing out the error.
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