Improving Communication Between Parents and Teens

Improving Communication Between Parents and Teens

Raising a teenager requires top-notch communication skills, and as the parent, you will be the one required to display the better communication skills. Yet, as your teen engages in troubling behavior, it can be difficult to enjoy good communication with your teenager.

But it is important to persist in improving your communication as research has shown that teens which are more attached and communicate with their parents are healthier and more successful than peers who are not.

Create Natural Conversational Moments

One way to improve your communication with your teen is to create moments for natural conversation. Some such moments can be:

  • While in the car between errands
  • During sit-down meals
  • When participating in a mutual hobby, such as painting

Set Aside One-On-One Time With Your Teen

You don’t have to rely on chance and opportunity to have conversations with your teen. Making sure you set aside regular one-on-one time with your teenager can accomplish several things at the same time.

  • Your teen will know they are a priority – As parents are often busy, it can be hard for teens to feel comfortable asking for their parents’ time. By setting aside time just to be with them, you can send your teen a clear, positive message about their worth.
  • Give you insight into your teen’s life – Modern teens lead a much different life than their parents did as teenagers. It is important that parents understand what their teens are struggling with and allow their teens to feel like they can confide in them.
  • Allow for regular communication – If your teen knows they have regular times when they can talk to you, it can make it easier for them to share difficult things with you, rather than them trying to find an opportunity.

These positive things all work together to make your communications between you and your teenager more harmonious and positive overall.

Work With Therapists To Solve Family Disputes

When communication breaks down between parents and teens, sometimes the addition of a neutral third-party can help things back on track. A trained family therapist can facilitate sessions so family members can air grievances in a therapeutic manner. Also, individual therapy for both parents and/or their teens may be a good idea, depending on circumstances.

For more severely troubled youth who are not responding to regular talk and family therapy, a residential treatment center for troubled teens may help. The best residential treatment centers offer intensive therapy your teen as well as weekly family therapy sessions to help overcome family struggles.

Take Interest In Your Teen’s Concerns And Thoughts

The most important step of all is to take an interest in your teenager’s thoughts and concerns. It can be hard sometimes as parents often have much larger concerns. But when you teen knows you are genuinely interested in what they have to say and what is bothering them, they are far more likely to open up to you.

If you would like additional insight on what may help your troubled teen, contact us. Completely free of charge, we offer advice to parents on what course of action may help them with their teens and help bring the family back together.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

23 May, 2018

Recent Posts

What Are The Best Programs for Troubled Teens?

What Are The Best Programs for Troubled Teens?

If you have a troubled teen or a teen otherwise in crisis, it may have been suggested that you consider a therapeutic boarding school or a residential treatment center. While you know your teen needs more help and better therapeutic options, you may hesitate to...

Is My Teenager Gaslighting?

Is My Teenager Gaslighting?

Does it sometimes feel like your teenager is making you doubt yourself, doubt the things you’ve said, and even feel confused about what you have or haven’t said? If you’re confused just by trying to figure it out, there are good odds that your teenager is gaslighting...

10 Fall Activities To Do With Your Teen

10 Fall Activities To Do With Your Teen

The holidays will be here before we know it - and now is the perfect time to reconnect with your teen before the hustle and bustle of the winter season arrives. Not only can you show your teen that you’re available to them for time outside of work and school, but you...

Help! My Teen is Sexually Active.

Help! My Teen is Sexually Active.

It’s the conversation many of us have been dreading for years: Talking to your sexually active teens about what they are doing, how they need to be safe, and how to recognize red flags in their sexually active life. As much as we’d like to simply bury our heads and...

Conflict Resolution for Teens

Conflict Resolution for Teens

Conflict can be stressful no matter how old you are. Unfortunately, conflict is just part of life. Teens can feel conflict to be very personal and even scary, leading to behaviors that are not optimal for dealing with this stress. Teens also are more likely to be...

How Do I Control My Anger as A Teenager?

How Do I Control My Anger as A Teenager?

Your teen years are filled with rollercoasters of emotions, confusion, frustration, and so much more. Parents may say that the teen years are challenging for them, but it could just be that they’ve forgotten just how it feels to be a teen. And indeed, parents today...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *