At what age do teen moods stop?

As a parent of a teen, you must already know what I am talking about...

Teens can present as very moody, impulsive and have attitude.

Now... why is this even a thing? And when does it stop?

Why?

Your teen's brain is the main culprit. The teenage brain is undergoing significant development, characterised by increased connectivity and reorganisation in regions related to decision-making and emotional regulation. This growth often results in heightened risk-taking and emotional intensity compared to adults, as the prefrontal cortex, which governs complex planning and impulse control, is still maturing.

Yep... the under developed frontal lobe is to be blamed.

As teens, their frontal lobe is not a at capacity to regulate their emotions yet, creating emotional dysregulations, impulsive behaviours and incapability to think things through.

All this internal chaos will create mood swings.

When does it stop?

The frontal lobe will be done growing and developing at 25 years old for women and 26 years old for men.

BUT!

The third stage of teenage years have shown to have a better developed brain, linked to better general skills, including emotional regulation.

Knowing this, your teen will begin to have significant less mood swings 18 years old onwards.

What can a parent do manage their teen moods meanwhile?

If your teen is currently 14 years old, and you are very worried about how you (or them...) will survive for the next 4 years, don't worry!

There are few things you can do to help your teen regulate their emotions without a developed frontal lobe.

1. Build strong attachment with your teen.

   This point is the most important. Attachment will be the base, preventing a wide range of issues during the teenage years, such as, peer pressure, lies, lack of motivation, isolation, addiction to phones, anxiety and depression and much more.

   
   

   I wrote a book available to purchase on Amazon or Indigo. In this book, I explain 10 different strategies to put in place at home to build attachment with your teen, and their positive effect.

   Click HERE to review the book.

   
   

2. Allow your teen to explore the world.

Exploring the world, trying new activities, testing strengths and weaknesses, observing the impact of actions, dealing with mistakes and frustration is going to allow the brain to grow faster and healthier.

The less your teen will explore, the less their brain will develop.

3. Break goals and chores into simple little steps.

Breaking goals into smaller steps is crucial for teens as it makes the process more manageable and less overwhelming, helping them maintain focus and motivation. Each small achievement provides a sense of accomplishment and builds confidence, reinforcing their commitment to the larger goal. This approach also allows for regular assessment and adjustment, which is essential for adapting to new challenges and maintaining progress.

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