How to Stay in Tune With Your Teenager

In today's day and age, teenagers are probably quite different than when you grew up. Things are much more advanced than back then. As alarming and discouraging as our society makes the teenagers of today seem, when you know how to stay in tune with your own teenager, you can lessen the gap between you. It will also play a big part in their future and how they relate to their own children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Shop at the mall with them. When you go to the mall with your teenager, you can stay in tune with the clothes, music and other things that they like. Some teenagers may not want their parents hanging around them at the mall, however, you could still take them and shop in other stores and meet them for a coke or something to eat.
2. Listen to the music that they listen to and see if it is something that you like too. The music that they have playing in their rooms could tell a lot about them and how they feel. If they are playing mostly upbeat songs, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are always upbeat. Most teenagers go through different listening preferences throughout the years, but getting to know their taste keeps you in tune also.
3. Ask them how school went each day. Keep involved in their school activities and go to sporting events to watch them when they are playing in them. You should also try to contact their teachers to monitor their academic progress as well as their behavior. Involving yourself in their school events is another great way to stay in tune with your teenager.
4. Take some time to just talk to them. Ask them open ended questions and have good quality conversations with them. Listen to their answers, give positive feedback and let them know that they can always come to you for advice or just to talk. You should make the communication between the two of you comfortable and not probing or intrusive to their privacy. Being a friend to your teenager is an excellent avenue for staying in tune with them.