Parenting Teens - September 4, 2012

Day 19 - Effective Communications Strategies Part I

Parenting Teenagers

We look at the role of listening and attention-giving in effective communications.

2. Learn to listen
• treat them like young adults (not children) • Listen carefully to their views and feelings

Effective communication requires that parents o learn to speak with their teenager rather than at their teenager (Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages of Teenagers) o engage in discussion and be prepared to debate the issues rather than repeating Simplistic slogans such as “You're too young to have a boyfriend” or “drugs are dangerous”

3. Give your full attention • recognize the important moments to listen and give your full attention • don't try to listen to your teenager while doing something else at the same time • maintain eye contact; observe your teenager’s body language

Question:
When have you had your best conversations with your teenager?

From Series: "Parenting Teenagers"

Study Guide

More Messages Associated With "Family"...

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  • our children crave to be noticed by us and crave our attention
  • special time with each child develops their self-esteem and their ability to relate to others
  • can be difficult for us as parents to recognize this need and to fulfill it
  • the more children we have, the more planning and conscious effort it takes
  • channels of communication are opened through spending one-on-one time with our child(ren)
  • can transform a child’s behavior
  • eye contact:
    • can be used either positively or negatively
    • children learn by modeling – if we do it, they’ll do it
    • easy when they are babies – but don’t give up eye contact as they get older
    • good eye contact goes hand in hand with active listening

Do you have fond memories of 1:1 time with a parent?  What memories can you create with your children one on one?

 

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