Parenting Teens - September 4, 2012

Day 19 - Effective Communications Strategies Part I

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 From "Parenting Teenagers"

Powered by Series Engine


The home is a place where teenagers learn good values.

  • Teenagers learn more from what they see than from what we tell them to do
  • Learning to be honest, generous and hospitable; learning to handle anger, to resolve conflict, to apologize and to forgive
  • “like father like son” and “like mother, like daughter” our teenagers will learn more from us than from anyone else, if we’re there for them

What values would you like to pass on to your teenager?