Angry Kids, Angry Parents: Understanding and Working With Anger in Your Family

Psychologists Anne Hilde Vassbø Hagen and Joanne Dolhanty explain how to manage your child's anger and address the underlying needs in their book "Angry Kids, Angry Parents." They provide practical strategies to help parents stay calm and protect their boundaries, supported by psychological research and therapeutic practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: American Psychological Association

Anger is a complex emotion that can manifest in various ways, ranging from healthy expressions of assertiveness to aggressive behavior. While anger can be a normal and healthy response to injustice, it can also lead to aggression and violence, often masking underlying emotions such as embarrassment, shame, disappointment, sadness, loneliness, or fear. As parents, it is our responsibility to help our children understand and manage their anger in a way that promotes their emotional well-being and social development.

In her book "Angry Kids, Angry Parents," psychologist Anne Hilde Vassbø Hagen and Joanne Dolhanty provide valuable insights and strategies for parents who are struggling with their child's anger. They explain that anger can be a normal and healthy emotion, but it can also be a sign of deeper emotional issues that need to be addressed. The authors emphasize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children to express their anger, while also teaching them effective coping skills and problem-solving techniques.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of validating children's emotions. The authors argue that children often feel unheard and invalidated when they express anger, which can lead to further frustration and escalation of the situation. By acknowledging their feelings and providing empathy, parents can help children feel understood and supported, which can reduce the likelihood of anger-related behavior.

Another important aspect of managing children's anger is addressing the underlying needs that may be fueling the emotion. The authors suggest that anger can be a symptom of unmet needs, such as loneliness, boredom, or a lack of control. By identifying these needs and providing appropriate support and guidance, parents can help children develop healthy coping mechanisms and manage their anger in a more productive way.

The book also provides practical strategies for responding to children's anger in a sensitive and productive way. The authors recommend avoiding power struggles and confrontation, which can escalate the situation and further damage the child's emotional well-being. Instead, they suggest using active listening skills, providing logical consequences, and modeling positive behavior and emotional regulation.

Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining consistency in discipline. The authors argue that children need clear expectations and consequences for their behavior, which can help them develop a sense of responsibility and self-control. However, it is also important to avoid punishment and humiliation, as these can have negative long-term effects on children's emotional development.

In conclusion, "Angry Kids, Angry Parents" is a valuable resource for parents who are struggling with their child's anger. By providing insights into the nature of anger, validating children's emotions, addressing underlying needs, and offering practical strategies for managing anger, the book helps parents create a safe and supportive environment for their children's emotional well-being.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433840654