There is every need for adults, especially parents to stay communicated with their teens. It's not only a responsibility but it makes teens to feel secured. Making them feel that there is always someone to talk to is indeed a positive effect to their growing up as a person.
You will agree with me that time comes in a teens life when discussion between them and their parent becomes a difficult issue but that will not be the reason to make parents give up to the idea of keeping constant communication with their kids. You have to keep trying, not only because it is your responsibility but because study shows that teens that do have personal and regular relationship with adults, especially with their parents hardly makes much youthful mistakes.
There are some tips that would help keep a sustainable communication between parents and teen:
- Get involved in their school activities. This can be done by always trying to know what's happening in their school. Keeping in touch with their teachers and counselors is a great idea. Joining parents-teachers work group and joining in discussion will give you a better experience on how to attend to some teen problem.
- Sharing things in common keeps you really close to teens. One thing that you can share in common that will make a great impact is hobby. Swimming together, or taking a work and doing other thing in common will not be a bad idea after all.
- Dinner hour is a fine opportunity to engage in serious discussion with your child. You should make it a priority because there is this saying that “a family that eats together stays together”.
- Always try to put yourself in their shoes some times. This will help give you a better judgment on them. Try to view their dreams and experience, engage them in discussions.
- Though this is not normal but if your child has a car, why not try riding in convoy to school with them. Afterall it's all about getting close to the teen.
- Sometimes your child may not want to discuss some topics with you. Don't try to force it on them. Give them some space, give them some level of independence and always show them love, at the right time they might discuss some things with you that you don't expect.
- The most important is making your child the most priority in your life. Trying to make yourself available at all time.
