Angst is a type of feeling [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][probably] peculiar to teenagers whereby they constantly feel deep anxiety about nothing in particular or everything in general. In other words, teenage angst can either be as a result of identifiable issues such as bullying, academic stress, Peer Pressure and the need to belong or other issues not quite identifiable but still problematic nonetheless. Whatever the actual cause, teenagers do need help to deal with angst. Discussed below are some ways parents can help out with that.
The first thing parents need to do is to recognize that teens’ emotional problems are real issues that need solution. Most parents in Nigeria live in denial of such things as emotional challenges. They are of the opinion that it is [un]African to have psychological problems. Perhaps people with this sort of bizarre opinion forget that Africans too are humans; not aliens. Anyway, parents should desist from going with the easy way out which is to think that the problem is not real. Recognize that your teens’ emotional problems are real as that is the basis to finding lasting solution.
Parents should not encourage their teens to downplay the seriousness of their emotional instability. One again, this is something that most African (particularly Nigerian) parents are guilty of. They can easily cajole their children into ignoring their emotional unrest or may even go to the extent of ridiculing such challenges. They believe this is the right way to raise teens that will be strong enough to face life. But they forget that there is a major difference between pampering and solving a problem. Acknowledging a bad mental state and helping the sufferer to cope is different from pampering someone who has no actual problems.
Help teens find workable solutions. This is the part where I emphasize the need to counsel teens. Psychologists or child counselors can help to listen to your teens, hear their frustration and offer advice. It may sound funny or even needless, but in most cases that one on one conversation with a psychologist can indeed transform a teen’s life. Therefore, parents should consider doing that. Once again I know that this is a tradition we are not used to in this part of the world. But then we can always start.
Finally, parents should encourage teens to feel good with themselves no matter what. Mind you, this is different from encouraging teens to ignore the problems they are having. Instead, it is about encouraging them to live happily in spite of the problem. Doing this enables teens reaffirm that they are loved after all, helping them cope with their emotional turmoil in the process.
Parents should always make the emotional wellbeing of their children top priority just as they make the physical ones.
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