How to Truly Communicate with your Teenage Daughter
Teenage girls sometimes have a tendency to close up and not talk. It may even seem like they resent their mothers' presence. Every young woman goes through a physical, mental and emotional change when she wants her own space and privacy as she discovers her own identity. Communicating with her can be hard, but taking the time to talk and listen to her needs, wants, concerns and frustrations will help your relationship grow as she transitions into an adult.
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Instructions
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Listen to your daughter. If she wants to talk, make time to listen to her. Give her your undivided attention. Don't do the dishes, sort the laundry or clean house while she's talking. Sit down and listen to her.
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Talk to your teenage daughter like she's a young woman, not a little girl. Put yourself in her shoes. Try to remember what it was like when you were a teen. She will respect you for treating her more like an adult than a child.
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Say you're sorry when you're wrong. No one likes to apologize, but as a parent, you are her role model. If you did or said something that hurt or offended her, apologize. After you apologize, explain why you did what you did.
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Trust her. Don't always assume the worst. She is your child, and you have raised her to be responsible and make the right decisions. Give her the benefit of the doubt.
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Respect her space and privacy. The teenage years are transition years. If she wants to be alone and not always around you, give her her space. She may be more willing to talk with you when she's ready rather than when you force her to have a conversation.
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Share your own experiences with her. Tell her about your teenage years. (But don't tell her anything that's inappropriate.)
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Tips & Warnings
Don't judge your daughter. Remember, you were a teenager once.
References
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