How to Relate to a Teenage Girl

Moms struggle through those teen years when their little girls no longer want them around, resist their hugs and think they're uncool. It used to be that we were the center of their world, but then hormones took over their precious little souls, and before we knew it, we had strangers living in our homes. Here's some advice for moms everywhere who want their little girls back.

Instructions

1. Take her shopping. The next time your teen shows you a picture of some new hideous fashion trend in the latest teen magazine, smile instead of gag and offer to take her to the store to buy it. Tell her she'll be the most popular girl in school on Monday. You will definitely get a hug you haven't gotten in months.

2. Listen to her music. If you want to relate to your daughter, you need to listen to her music and pretend to like it. Even if you have to paint a smile on your face and grit your teeth, it's better than telling her that you could at least understand the words of the songs that you grew up with.

3. Watch her favorite shows with her. Giving up "ER" for an episode of the MTV dating show "Next" is probably the hardest thing you will have to do, but your teen will think you've developed a bit of coolness. Showing an interest in the things she's interested in will go a long way with her. Just don't ask too many questions about the objective of the show. Act as though you understand and laugh when she does or you'll blow the whole thing.

4. Tell her about yourself. Take some time to let her know about the crazy and rebellious things you did when you were her age. While you don't want to give away all your dirty tricks, tell her enough to remind your teen that you were her age once too. This will help her to see you in a different light.

5. Let your hair down. Have a sleepover with some of her friends. Play a game of no holds barred "Truth or Dare." Show your teen that you still know how to have fun with her rather than constantly being the rule setting dictator she's used to. Once she sees she can still laugh with you, she will also feel like she can relate to you as a person and not just view you as her mother.