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?

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From Series: "Parenting Teenagers"

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3. Have time together as a family

  • don’t always eat separately
  • don’t have several TVs in the house
  • organize family nights, family outings, family vacations
  • do chores together
  • allow them to have fun together, playing childish games, being silly, playing outside
  • don’t always entertain them; allow them to be bored so they make up their own games
  • have fun together as a family

4. Give each child space and some privacy

  • some children need more time on their own than others

5. Help them to see each other’s good points

  • give them a sense of responsibility to look out for each other

What helps your child get along with other children better?

 

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