A lack of proper or healthy communication between parents and teenagers can often cause their relationship to deteriorate over time.
But what is healthy communication?
Believe it or not, communication isn’t just about saying “good morning” when you wake up or “goodbye” when you head out the door. If you want to have healthy communication with your parents, you have to be more engaging and respectful.
For many teenagers, however, communicating with their parents seems like a double-edged sword – it could either lead to a better relationship or more misunderstandings and conflicts. Also, when you are in your teens, chances are you have more to talk with your peers than you do with your parents even if you share a great relationship.
So, how do you improve your communication with your parents?
Here are a few things you can do:
Find something to talk about every day If you feel like your relationship with your parents is strained or you have never really had a proper conversation, start by talking about everyday things. Tell them how your day was, what went down at school, or how your team did on the field – things that can help you become more comfortable and build a bond. The more you talk, the easier it will get.
Have meaningful conversations Generational differences in communication are one of the major challenges teenagers and their parents face. The younger generation is less keen on face-to-face contact, choosing instead to focus their time and energy on technology. But you should keep in mind that for your parents’ generation, there is probably nothing more meaningful than having a person-to-person conversation. So, take some time out every day to sit down and talk. If you live away, call them or video chat.
Always be open and honest If there is an issue that you would like to resolve with your parents, be open and honest about it. Ignoring something instead of having a conversation can cause a seemingly minor issue to fester and turn into a major conflict. No good has ever come out of bottling your emotions or feelings. Make sure, however, that you remain calm throughout the conversation. Do not fall prey to the blame game or point fingers at anyone. Let them know how you feel so that they have sufficient time to respond and tell you their side of the story.
Sometimes, no matter how much you try, it can often seem difficult to open up to your parents or have a fruitful conversation with them, especially if it is about something you don’t see eye to eye on. So, if you find yourself or your parents struggling to communicate, meeting with a counselor can prove to be incredibly helpful.
KC Life Counseling offers family counseling in Kansas City that is aimed at teenagers and their parents. Get in touch with us if you want to improve your communication or address any underlying problems you may have.
Browse through our website to know more.