Parenting My Teen

One of the most difficult jobs for parents of teenager is learning how to keep the lines of communication open with them. For some reason, when kids hit the teen years, they seem to become very absorbed in their social life and tend to shut out their parents. This can be very unsettling for parents, but it’s not anything that can’t be remedied with a little work.

Teenagers can be very hard to figure out and understand, especially when you aren’t able to communicate with them. This is why it’s important for parents to continue talking to their teens, regardless of how difficult it seems sometimes. Below are some tips for how you can keep the lines of communication open with your teenagers.

1.      Have dinner as a family. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially if you work a full-time job and your kids are involved in extracurricular activities. Things can be pretty hectic, but if you will make a point to sit down together as a family in the evening and have dinner together, you’ll find that it’s easier to communicate with your teens. Food has a way of dropping the walls and cheering everyone up. Plus, this may be the only time in the evening when you are able to get your entire family together!

2.      Plan a family night out. Keep in mind that while going out together as a family will be fun for you, your teens probably won’t be thrilled about the idea. Therefore, you might have to think outside the box when planning a family night out. For instance, many families try to go to the movies…probably not a good idea. Instead, consider going to the arcade, paintballing, four-wheeling, playing laser tag, etc. together. Teens are more likely going to look forward to going out with their parents when it’s to do something they feel is “cool.” You might even ask your teen what he/she wants to do as a family and see what they come up with.

3.      Communicate on their level. For many parents, the thought of having to text their teens or message them on Facebook seems silly, but this is the way most kid socialize today…even with their friends. So, why not try it? Now, if you have a major issue to discuss with your teen, don’t text. Social media and texting should only be used for short messages and as a supplement to regular, “normal” conversations. When used in this manner, it will help you keep the lines of communication open with your teens.

The above tips will help you and your teen communicate effectively with each other. It’s important not to let your teen “shut” you out during these years, as that can have a big impact on your relationship with each other in the future. If you want to learn more about understanding teens and how you can communicate with them, check out Real Life Guidance to Understanding Your Teen.