Walt Mueller shares in his book The Space Between: A Parent’s Guide to Teenage Development a few suggestions on how to offer stability to teenage emotions when they seem to be out of control that I wanted to pass on. He says…

1. Treat your teenagers’ emotions as important. Don’t be insensitive.
2. Make every effort to ensure that your home is emotionally stable and secure. The world of a teenager is ugly at times and full of rejection…don’t let your home be that.
3. Look for and empathize your child’s positive qualities. They hear negativity all the time from peers – work to say things such as I love you and I’m proud of you.
4. Don’t take your teenager’s rejection personally. Your role is to consistently love and encourage your child while finding your identity in Christ alone.
5. Ask questions if your teenager’s mood are often low – really low. Don’t be afraid to probe if you suspect that something more significant is going on beneath the surface.
6. Always, always, always empathize the authority of the Word.
7. Teach your children to trust truth over feelings. Teach them how the authoritative Word speaks to every area of life.
8. Make sure your children know that following Jesus doesn’t always feel good.