By Nicole Precel
A TOWERING teenager can be frightening when it comes to disputes, and a new information session aims to help parents quell their teens’ anger.
Williamstown psychologist Lyn O’Grady along with Hobsons Bay Youth Services are running the anger management sessions in Hobsons Bay due to demand from Hobsons Bay parents.
“Parents of teenagers are often concerned about anger as something they’re confronted with by their teenagers and often become very concerned about how to manage it,” she said.
She said parents didn’t always understand what was going on in their child’s life and don’t know how to respond.
“It can be quite frightening for them, to see their child angry when they’re obviously getting quite big,” she said.
“The sorts of things that can happen, the parents worry, ‘do you ignore it, do you get angry yourself,’ it can escalate if you’re not prepared for it.”
Youth Voice Committee Chair Councillor Luba Grigorovitch said in Hobsons Bay, 40 per cent of homes had young people under the age of 15, with that number expected to rise.
“Most people know that young people form their values, ideas and beliefs while going through adolescence. When these views are different to their parents it can create a feeling of distress and frustration in both parents and young people,” Cr Grigorovitch said.
Ms O’Grady said anger does not always manifest in violence, and sometimes teenagers may withdraw.
It’s also not just teenagers in the strictest sense and the sessions will be frequented by parents with children of a range of different ages.
“I talk to parents who have kids that are nine or 10 who say they are just like a teenager, they might have concerns as well and are worried about what would happen in the future,” she said.
The session is aimed at parents, guardians and youth workers to help them communicate with young people.
It will be held on 26 May from 7pm at the Bayside Secondary College Altona North Campus, 1 McArthurs Rd, Altona North.
