| The most common concerns parents have with | | | | trust you with their feelings, they'll be more |
| their teens is how to communicate without dealing | | | | inclined to open up. |
| with power struggles and conflict. There are some | | | | 3. Always be the parent. Teens need guidance |
| positive approaches you can use which will get | | | | and support, but they don't want to be controlled. |
| you the positive results you desire. | | | | Making demands on them only causes them to |
| The first thing to do is understand the many | | | | shut down. Offering suggestions with reason is a |
| challenges teens face at this age. There's peer | | | | better way to keep the dialogue going and keeps |
| pressure, fitting in, appearance and degree of | | | | their resistance down. |
| popularity, not to mention doing well in school, | | | | 4. Involve your teens in the solution by |
| extra-curricular activities and pleasing mom and | | | | encouraging original ideas. Get them thinking and |
| dad. There's a lot expected of teens and unless | | | | solving problems themselves. This will boost their |
| they have the most appropriate coping skills to | | | | self-esteem, increase their self-worth, and give |
| handle things, they will fall victim to the pressure | | | | them pride in their decision making abilities. |
| and you will suffer their wrath. | | | | 5. Take a genuine interest in their activities. Know |
| The following are 5 effective techniques you can | | | | who their friends are, and also what interests |
| use to keep things positive: | | | | them outside of school. You want to show that |
| 1. To develop a rapport with your teen, find | | | | you truly care about their lives, but that you are |
| something you can appreciate about them, like a | | | | not overly intrusive. |
| talent you admire, a physical trait (beautiful blue | | | | Always watch for more serious warning signs |
| eyes) or a unique quality they possess (sensitivity | | | | that your teen may need more help than you can |
| to others) and focus on it. Start your | | | | handle. Watch for changes in behavior (isolation, |
| conversation by acknowledging their qualities and | | | | secrecy, changes in school grades, excessive |
| how fortunate they are to possess them. It will | | | | sadness or depression, anger or violence) and |
| get the teens in a receptive mood and get you | | | | seek immediate help with a mental health |
| aligned on their side. | | | | professional. |
| 2. Listen with empathy. Many arguments can be | | | | Parents who give their teens the time to grow |
| avoided if you put yourself in their shoes for the | | | | independently, yet offer encouragement and |
| moment and perceive the problems through their | | | | guidance, will find that their relationship will flourish |
| eyes. Be sincere by letting your teens know that | | | | through these exhaustive and challenging teen |
| you can appreciate how they feel and can actually | | | | years and manifest itself into healthy, happy |
| feel their pain. If your children know they can | | | | bonding. |