Does it seem like a fight every time you try to talk to your teen? It doesn’t have to be that way!
Here are three tips for communicating with your teen that will help you have a stronger, harmonious relationship with your teen.
✏ Avoid openly confrontational language.
Instead of saying “You’re always doing this!” or “Why can’t you just do what I ask?”, try using more neutral language. Nobody likes being lectured, especially teenagers. Instead of lecturing them about what they should or shouldn’t do, try having a conversation with them about their choices and why you are concerned.
✏ Listen more than you talk.
It’s important to let your teen know that you’re listening to them and that you understand their perspective. Try asking questions and really hearing what they have to say. Your teen is going through a lot of changes and is trying to figure out who they are. It’s important to be respectful of their feelings and opinions.
✏ Be open-minded.
Just because your teen is doing something differently than you did at their age doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Not every disagreement needs to turn into a full-blown argument. Pick your battles wisely and only argue about the things that are truly important. It’s important to be open-minded and understand that there are many different ways to do things.
Communicating with your teen doesn’t have to be a battle. By avoiding confrontational language, listening more than you talk, and being open-minded, you can open up the lines of communication and have productive conversations with your teen about the things that matter most to them.
If this helped you share with another parent that might be facing the same issue.
