What is Going on Inside the Developing, Complicated Teen Brain?

"The teenage brain is a work in progress; it's basically still undergoing construction..."
--David Walsh, psychologist, former high school counselor and author
One day your teenager is full of charm helping you with a chore and chitchatting like you are best friends. Just several hours later, he's angry and sullen. Are hormones the explanation for this Jekyll and Hyde personality? Experts now say that although hormones contribute to teenage mood swings, the bigger culprit is the teenage brain, or rather, their lack of brain development.
What can parents do to deal with teenagers?
1. Be a parent first: Set rules and have your teen adhere to them. A teen's job is to push the limits; a parent's job is to set them.
2. Adjust your expectations about your teen's behavior based on their brain development. It is normal for them to experience mood swings and impulsiveness.
3. If your teens on an emotional roller-coaster, do not jump on with them. If you do, it can result in name-calling, put-downs and threats -- all things that will eat away at your relationship with your teen.
4. Begin statements with "I" rather than "you". Starting with "you" triggers defensiveness. For example, instead of saying "You're really rude", say, "I'm angry that you walked out of the room while I was talking to you."
5. Be patient. It often helps to remember your own adolescent years.
 posted by Jane