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

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Home is a place where teenagers learn how to build healthy relationships.

  • Teenagers learn to relate through observing adult relationships
  • If parenting together, invest in your relationship (take our marriage course!)
  • If parenting on your own, build the best relationship you can with the other parent, when possible
  • Nurture other adult friendships
  • Mealtimes together – teenagers learn to talk, listen, debate issues, and respect others’ views
  • Regular family time – having fun together ias a family helps build relationships between parents and children and between siblings (consider having a weekly “family night”)

How can you intentionally model healthy relationships with others in your life, for your teenager to learn from?