I can remember when I was a teenager. I played sports, had a lot of friends, but I also felt depressed at times, experimented with alcohol, and struggled to keep my grades up. I had a hard time trusting people; I thought no one understood me. I often wonder how different my teen years would have been like if I was reached out to more. What if I was talked to and not at?
Communication is key in any relationship. Talk to your teen about their day; ask them if they are having any frustrations with school or their friends. Talk to them about drugs, alcohol and sex, because those are issues they are faced with all the time. Sharing your experiences as a teen with your child opens up a whole new world to them. They now see you as someone who had to face the same things as they do. It might make them think you DO understand. Let them ask questions about how you dealt with certain situations as a teenager. Nothing should be a forbidden topic.
Being a parent means guiding our children through life the best way we can. The best way to do that is to communicate with them. Talk TO your teen today
Authors Bio
Reside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Work at home mom/stay at home mom. Owner of the Informing Women Newsletter and website http://www.informingwomen.com Write an advice column for a community newsletter, have an inspirational piece being published in Chicken Soup For The Recovering Soul, and have articles published on many work at home, home based business, tips and hints, and parenting websites.