Parenting Teens - September 6, 2012

Day 21 - Effective Communications Strategies Part III

Parenting Teenagers

We look at the role of reflecting back, responding appropriately and taking a long-term view in healthy communications.

7. Reflect back what they have said • say back to them what you think they are trying to express, particularly their feelings use some of their own words and phrases

8. Respond appropriately • give guidance and reassurance • they are likely to remember our words for years to come

9. Take a long-term view • sometimes any meaningful communicationwith teenagers can be a big struggle • difficulties are usually the result of a phase they're going through • try to create the conditions for conversation to become easier, at mealtimes; spending time with them doing what they enjoy; using their love language • if worried, seek professional help and/or medical support

Question:
Role play with another adult. Have them share a typical teenage problem with you, and reflect back what they’ve said. Go back and forth for a few minutes, then switch. What was easy or hard about this?

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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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