How to talk to a teenager is a common concern among parents today. Talking to them is one of the most important things that you can do for their well being and future growth. It is never easy talking with teenagers, because they are just like children; curious, moody and full of vices. However, the good thing is that there are some tips that you can follow that will make talking to them much easier. Here are some pointers:
o Always try to be as consistent as possible. There are a lot of teens who tend to lie, cheat and steal when they feel that you are not paying attention to them. Consistency always makes it easier to establish communication. Therefore, if you want to know how to talk to a teenager, try to be consistent in what you say and do so that he or she will know that you are there for him or her all the time.
o Always listen carefully to your teenager. When talking to your teenager, never just dump all your ideas into his or her head. Try to listen and comprehend what your teenager is trying to say. This way, you will be able to formulate your own opinions and feelings. You can then use these opinions and feelings to impress your teenager.
o Understand your teenager’s personality. Your aim in talking to him or her is to make him or her feel good about himself or herself. Therefore, in order to make your teenager feel good, you need to understand how he or she thinks and feels. The way to do this is to listen to them and pay attention to their reactions.
o Give your teenager time to reflect. Teenagers are very sensitive and they need time to reflect. Before talking to them, give them plenty of time to think about what you have said. During this time, they will be able to ask themselves questions such as “Am I saying the right things?” and “Am I agreeing with what you are saying?”
o Understand that talking to teenagers is not always an easy task. Sometimes, your teenager is simply not interested in talking about anything at all. In such cases, you might want to try out teaching your teenager a social skill such as taking turns with someone, going for a walk or doing some games with your child.
o Never argue if your teenager is disagreeing with you. Never, ever, argue with your teenager. Instead, listen and show concern. If the two of you are still disagreeing, find another way to talk. Giving in to your teenager’s demands might be the easiest way to solve the argument.
Knowing these tips on how to talk to a teenager can help you learn how to communicate with them properly. Never assume that just because they are your own children that they know what is best for them. Always, be there for them when they need your help, but more importantly listen to what they say. In doing so, you will be able to develop a relationship with your teenager where you can actually teach them how to talk and listen. After doing this, it will be easier for you to understand what your teenager wants from you.
Teenagers are very impressionable and they often listen to what you say. However, make sure that they really listen before you start talking. It is not an easy thing to do, especially when you have no idea how to talk to a teenager. There are many things that you can do to help yourself learn how to talk to a teenager, and the most important thing is to be patient.
One thing to do is to start off slowly and let your teenager to voice their opinions first. Asking questions that are very personal can get a teenager to open up and talk. You will see that the more comfortable they get to talk, the more willing they will be to say what they want to say. Sometimes a simple question can get a teenager to open up and talk about a certain problem they are having.
Another great way on how to talk to a teenager is to use humor. Try saying things like, “you just can’t resist me, can you?” or “I can take care of anyone, including you!” This will make it much easier for a teenager to open up and talk. You will notice that as you start to talk to them in a humorous way, they will become more comfortable and open up even more.
