Depression affects a person's overall mood and emotions; children are not immune to this disruptive condition. Helping your daughter learn to deal with her emotions may help prevent the onset of this mood disorder or help her work through it. You play a pivotal role in teaching your daughter the best way to cope with her feelings.
Step 1
Teach your daughter about hormones. This applies especially to a girl who's just beginning her menstrual cycle, which varies for every tween or teen. Explaining that estrogen and progesterone spikes in her body can result in a higher sensitivity to stress may make these moments less difficult as she experiences them.
Step 2
Talk to your daughter regularly. You cannot help your daughter with her emotions if you do not know what she feels, or what events are taking place in her life. If she is not ready to talk, respect this.
Step 3
Give your daughter a journal. A journal is a constructive way for your daughter to deal with the way she feels; it is her personal space, a place for her to feel comfortable expressing herself. Reassure your daughter that you will not invade this space by reading her journal unless you feel she is in danger of harming herself or someone else.
Step 4
Support your daughter in her social and extracurricular activities. If your daughter chooses to play soccer, volleyball or softball, attend her games and fund raising events. If she is not involved in any activities, ask her what interests her and help her join. Participating in something social can help increase her self-esteem.
Step 5
Teach your child empathy. Perhaps your daughter is angry because of a recent traumatic event, such as a death of a loved one or a divorce between you and your spouse. This may result in aggressive behavior. Help her cope with the underlying problem by volunteering at your local nursing home, animal shelter or food bank. Once she sees others who need and appreciate her, her feelings of anger may slowly fade.
Step 6
Teach her the meaning of true friendship. A common problem among tweens and teens is the desire to fit in with their peers. If your daughter is experiencing this problem, it is important for her to understand the meaning of true friendship. Ask her what she feels a true friend is; explain that a friendship does not mean one person has control over the other. Doing this can help build her self-confidence while eliminating the inner turmoil peer pressure so often causes.
Step 7
Make an appointment with a counselor. If you find it difficult to talk to your daughter, or realize nothing you say or do is effective, use a counselor to guide you. Make an appointment for both you and your daughter; an objective person is often able to devise techniques both you and your daughter can use.
