Not sure how to improve communication between parents and teens? Unfortunately, it is not always easy. However, we should not give up either, because it is possible and, if done well, it will give excellent results.
No matter how difficult communications between children and parents may become, it is not a good idea to give up, nor to resort to methods other than open, sincere, empathetic and sensible conversations.
And also, as parents, we must know that if communication is not as fluid as we would like it to be, we must also understand that we are partly to blame. Accepting it and showing that we are not perfect, and that we also make mistakes, can be a good first step to improve contacts, which will make it easier for our teenager to be honest.
Learn how to improve communication between parents and teenagers.
That said, we are going to give some practical tips that will improve communication between parents and young children and, therefore, also the underlying affection between them.
Listen to your child and do not interrupt
As parents and adults, we have a certain tendency not to listen to our children, to interrupt them or not to understand exactly what they want to tell us, because we already have our answer ready.
Well, that's a mistake. It is interesting to let the children speak with confidence and freedom, saying what they think, without being interrupted, knowing that they are listened to, valued and loved. This is beneficial for the whole family. Therefore, let's avoid phrases like "I know what you're going to say" or "you're always saying the same thing". Instead, help them to be honest and to really express what their real emotions are.
Forget criticism, judgment and blame
Do not criticize, do not judge and do not blame everything on the adolescent. If we constantly punish their behavior, we are building walls that will be difficult to tear down.
If the young person gets angry, yells and lets out anger, don't get down on his or her level. Wait until he relaxes to have a cordial conversation in which you can find common ground and reach agreements that satisfy both of you.
Avoid giving lessons
It is common for parents to tell their children what to do. But we must also consider that children, when they reach adolescence, begin to mature and start their passage towards adulthood.
Instead of telling him what to do, rather than giving him lessons, let's help him find the best options. Let's offer reasons, pros and cons, instruments and tools for improvement, and from there, make him feel part of the solution and of the negotiation, letting him come to his own conclusions. With a good education, he will surely know how to find the right path.
Give him the importance his words deserve
Also as adults we tend to reduce the problems of young people because they seem small compared to our headaches. That, on the other hand, is a mistake, because the mind of an older person, much more developed, is generally more prepared to manage emotions, which is not always the case with children.
Let's not think that teenagers' problems are not important. For them they are, and as such we have to treat them so that they feel confident, with a good self-esteem.
From Logos International School we have a complete department of professionals specialized in the correct development of children, from their early childhood to their maturity. That is why we can help you to improve the communication between parents and teenagers.