Things You'll Need:
- open mind
- teenager
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Step 1
Lets face it the older our kids get the less likely it becomes that they'll want to tell us every little thing that goes on in their worlds. If you didn't know that its okay. No need to panic because honestly if we were always in the loop we'd drive ourselves crazy just trying to keep it all together. All we should hope for is them telling us the important stuff. How do we do that?
I had this friend when I was a kid an I got so excited when I knew I was going over his house. I didn't realize it until I got older but I know now that a great deal of that excitement came from knowing I would be spending time with my friends mom. I love my mother to no end but the fact id my friends mother and my own differed greatly in regards to how they communicated with their children. My friends mom genuinely wanted to know about our lives. We got to express ourselves with a responsible adult without feeling judged in any manner. -
Step 2
Don't judge your kids, at least not to their face. Remember a lot of things that go on in the life of an adolescent are completely new to them therefore their reactions my seem a little off... to say the least.. For an adolescent being non judgmental will get you they key to their city. Now you have the lines of communication open.
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Step 3
Now they want to talk because you have succeeded in making them comfortable. A lot of adolescents appreciate the company of an adult it helps them to feel like they're active participants in their own lives when an adult is relating to them then just giving orders.
This does not mean parents should be friends with their teens instead of the disciplinary. Actually the balance between the two is what lets the teen know that when it gets a little overwhelming there's always someone there who'll listen with genuine concern, without judgment and at the same time lead them in the right direction.
Comments
gessie said
on 11/30/2008 This is a very good article TheCreatorSd.
Couldn't have said it better.