Communicating With Your Teenager

Communicating with your teenager is an important part of being a parent and of retaining a good relationship with your child. Unfortunately, during the teenage years communication can often be a one way process; don't lose heart just remain open to the times when your teenager needs you to listen.

Getting on with teenagers is hard work. You might think that the hardest part of child rearing is the baby years, and physically you might be right. Emotionally and psychologically the most wearing time for parents are the teenage years. Paradoxically the same individual who craves to be left alone also needs the reassurance that they are loved no matter what. Loving your teenager is one thing but you won't always like them and you have to distinguish between these two emotions if the relationship is not to become confusing to both of you. There are times when parents should communicate their feelings about certain behaviours but you need to pick the right time and place if communication between you and your teenager is to remain open.