10 Ways to Talk to Your Teenager

Are you struggling to talk to your teenager? The teenage years can often be a challenge as your child is going through huge emotional and physical changes. Many parents find their teen feels more distant from them or stops communicating altogether.

So how can you keep lines of communication open with your teenager?

1: Pick your battles

All children need boundaries. It helps them feel safe and secure. Teenagers naturally test these boundaries and push against them. If they feel everything is a rule, a problem, or they’re always being told off, they rebel against it.

Instead, try picking your battles. Stay firm and consistent about the important things. Talk to your teenager about why that rule is in place rather than simply saying, “Because I said so,” so they understand why the rule is important.

Be flexible about unimportant things and allow your teen as much choice as possible over them. It helps them feel their opinions are valued and listened to.

2: Avoid nagging when you talk to your teenager

Teens are quick to feel ‘got at’ They may feel that all you ever do is moan at them and tell them what to do. This can make them turn off and stop listening.

Speak clearly about a worry or problem and explain the impact it has on you, in as few words as possible. Pick one problem at a time when you talk to your teenager rather than piling lots of problems into one conversation.