Communicating With Your Teen Vestal NY

A common expression parents learn is that "kids turn into monsters when they get to the age of about 12." I am here to tell you that this is a myth and that your behavior as a parent is crucial to your teen's openness toward you.

Here are some things you should do, and if you have younger kids, start doing these things with them too:

1. Trust what your teen says. It is a well-known fact that what you do has a lot more impact than what you say. If you smoke, but you tell your teen not to smoke, he will smoke, because actions speak louder than words. So if you want your teen to trust you, you need to show them HOW.
   • When your teen talks to you, note any internal response in your mind that says, "I don't believe you."
   • Stop it.
   • Assume that what your teen is saying is the truth.
   • Keep the conversation going as if it IS the truth.
   • Say things that show your faith in your teen, such as "this makes sense," "I trust your judgment," "I would do the same" or "it makes it easier for me to know you always tell me the truth."

At first, this may not reflect the way you feel, but keep saying it anyway and your teen will live up to your expectations.

2. Confide in your teen. The flip side, of course, is sharing your own thoughts and feelings with your teen, even if they are difficult, complicated or a little embarrassing:
   • Tell them about your day, starting with the facts. This may ease your way into a conversation....

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Author: Ronit Baras