• treat them like young adults (not children)
• Listen carefully to their views and feelings
• Effective communication requires that parents
  • learn to speak with their teenager rather than at their teenager (Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages of Teenagers)
  • 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

When have you had your best conversations with your teenager?