Tips for Communicating with Teenagers
Hello amazing people!
Greetings, as we navigate into the mysterious world of teenager-hood for today’s chat. It’s the time to swim in the edgy waters of adolescence – a period of immense change and flux, where the little angel you’ve nurtured suddenly dons their invisible invincibility cloak and starts exploring their life in ways that often leave you scratching your head, puzzled. Have no fear! Here come some friendly tips to ease your journey of communicating with these unpredictable entities, your beloved teenagers.
Firstly, be a genuinely good listener. If you’re a parent, guardian, mentor, or simply an adult who’s working with teenagers, this tip can be your life-saver. Your teen will have endless insights, theories, plans, dramas, and dilemmas to share. Be patient and attentive. Even though these tales may seem trivial or outdated to your adult mindset, they’re happening in real-time in your teen’s universe. Show empathy, respect and validate their feelings, because your teen’s feelings matter.
Pause before you preach! This can be a tough one, but it is vital. As an adult, we’ve more life experiences. And, of course, we want to save our teens from the mistakes we made. But before you launch into a well-meaning sermon, take a moment. Consider delivering it in a discussion format that encourages open conversation. We want them to learn from us but remember your teen’s brain is also screaming for independence and self-awareness. Also, sharing your experience is always better than sharing what someone else should do.
Communicate clearly without ridicule. If you’re trying to communicate a rule or expectation, be as clear as possible. The adolescent mind often thrives in black and white, with grey areas causing unnecessary confusion. And if your teen disagrees or fails in observing those rules? Avoid name-calling or derogatory remarks—no one wins in that game. Keep it simple, clear, and respectful.
Embrace their world. Have you ever received a blank stare when you mentioned your favorite childhood band or TV show? Now flip that situation. If you want to strike a chord with your teen, take an interest in their world—their music, YouTube influencers, fashion trends, language, and so on. You don’t need to imitate them; showing an understanding of their world goes a long way in building a closer bond.
Finally, remember, your teenager is transforming. Their opinions, interests, friends, and behaviors can switch faster than you blink. Acceptance of this change is the foundation of a strong relationship.
Phew! If you’ve made it all the way through, here’s a virtual high five. Parenting or being around teens can indeed feel like walking on a tightrope in a windstorm. But with patience, understanding, and open communication, we can not only survive this phase but establish a relationship of mutual respect and trust.
Remember, there’s no single ‘right’ way to communicate with teens. It’s about exploring, learning, and growing together in this adventure of teenager-hood.
Happy Communicating!