5 Red Flags to Look Out For When Parenting Teens

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We've all experienced being a teenager, and we all know our parents are the last people in our life that we turn to if we have problems of our own. Teenagers tend to have a mindset that their parents don't get their situation, but studies have shown, and proven, that there are certain teen behaviors that should be given full attention by parents. 

The teen years are the hardest part of a parent's life, as well as the child. At this stage, your kid has grown up to be a young adult who can already distinguish what is right or wrong not because it was taught to him but because it is what he thinks it is. When you are raising a teenager, you may think that everything is rapidly changing and you will come to realize that they are not kids anymore. One day they just want to be with you everywhere and the next day, they don't want to be seen near you. 

Distinguishing and identifying red flag behaviors between normal teen behavior in your teenagers can be hard. This only has a very thin line in between, so it is important for you to identify each one of them. It is a rocky road to step in, and one wrong move can change your relationship with your teen. Parents tend to overreact and exaggerate news they hear online or in TV, such as suicide rates, depression, and anxiety in teenagers, but the statistics are actually true, but it should be addressed in the most calming way.

To know more about these red flags, here are five of them that you can look out for when you're parenting your teenagers.

Their sleeping patterns change

It is normal for teenagers to have bad sleeping patterns. It is actually normal for teenagers to stay up late at night and sleep in late during the morning, however, when they do this for more than several weeks, you should be a bit alarmed. This could be a sign of insomnia, anxiety, substance abuse, or worse, depression. 

Loss of interest in usual activities

Most teenagers experience change especially when they enter high school. Your teenager might have grown up to love maths and sciences, but when they decide to join their school's drama club, that's acceptable. However, if your teenager starts cutting classes and doing bad-influenced activities inside or outside school, this could be a sign that your teenager is troubled or struggling into something they are not talking to you about. It could be a sign of depression, bipolar disorder, or undiagnosed ADD.

Having cuts and intended hair loss

Teens, especially those who are depressed and troubled, tend to self-harm themselves, most especially if they feel very lonely. To some teenagers, they self-harm due to suicidal behavior and thoughts. Those who tend to self-harm may wear a lot of long-sleeved clothes even in warm weather and season to cover their cuts. If you find it weird for your teen to wear such on a normal day, it is best for you to find out what they have been doing lately. 

Substance use

You can easily tell if your teenager is into some substance abuse by the smell of their breath and their looks. If they smell different, act different, and look different, they might be into some sort of pills, drugs, or alcohol. Teenage years are full of curiosity, and teens tend to try what kids their age do.

Uncontrollable anger.

Teenagers tend to experience burnouts, and being angry is a normal emotion for any human being. However, if this turns into violent actions, then this should be addressed quickly. Uncontrollable anger is very dangerous to teenagers especially to everyone who surrounds them. 

While teens will remain to be difficult, just remember it's only a phase and soon they will be back depending on you for support, love and advice.