Managing Anger: The Wonder Room

Ask Rachel anything This Wonder Room starts with my own parenting fail, involving granola, a sarcastic reply about Cheerios and an argument I really should have walked away from. If you’ve ever been rage-baited by your teen, you’re not alone. I’m joined by Katharine Radice, teacher, author and mother of teenage boys, to take on the messy reality of living with teenagers.  We cover: Why some teens seem to pick fights, and why a row can feel like a release A listener’s message about her 14-year-old, who hit and kicked her when her phone was taken away: how to help teens catch anger before it explodes, why small things are worth a conversation before they become a row, and why we shouldn’t assume a child will turn out like a difficult relative How to talk about phones with an autistic teen or one with PDA who resists conversation, including listening without words, setting a timer and using language that doesn’t feel like a demand Our response to Dr Özgür Bolat’s ideas in The Reward Trap: where we agree on praise and motivation, and what you do when the homework still has to get done Why a task doesn’t have to be fun, it has to feel worth it, and how sitting alongside your teen can help more than stepping in What happens when teens work towards a dream and it doesn’t deliver, as Katharine sees with some of her Cambridge students You’ll come away with practical ways to handle anger, resistance and motivation, and a reminder to slow down, find the joy now and tell your teenager you enjoy their company. While I have your attention, I’ve got to tell you about this Vax carpet cleaner I bought. (I have absolutely no affiliation and make no money from this) I’ve been using it regularly because my dog hasn’t been well and has been using the indoors as a toilet. Honestly, it’s the most fantastic purchase that I wish I’d bought twenty years ago when my babies came along.  It’s light, really simple to use, and even has a self-cleaning function. I went on Amazon to give it a five star review and saw that it’s discounted right now.  Helpful old episodes: Anger management  Parenting complex teens - Elaine Taylor-Klaus The Reward Trap Lazy to Motivated I’ve put the key tips in a PDF for my substack subscribers. Join here Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit.  You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.  Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack:  My email [email protected] My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook