Say this, not that

The best ways to talk to your teens so they will listen, and listen so they will talk.

Being a teenager is pretty tough these days. We live in a high stress, fast paced world and our teens are feeling the pressure in all aspects of their lives: social, academic, sports and relationships. As parents, we want to offer support and guidance, but this is a tricky business since by its very nature, adolescence is a time when teens are centered on their peers, not their parents. In forming their identity, the majority of teens are pushing their parents away. Essentially, they create a sense of themselves and who they are in the world in opposition to us, not in solidarity with us. Teens looking to assert themselves and establish a sense of autonomy usually need to find fault with us, their parents, so they can find a reason to separate from us in order to find themselves.

So, with all of that being said, how can we, as parents, find a way in to our children's worlds so we can both respect their need for a separate identity and also provide some guidance for them while they navigate the difficult terrain of their lives ?

Here are a few tips for talking to your kids in a way they at be more likely to hear you (even if they won't admit they hear you?)

Say Th