Communicating effectively with your teen is daunting, and talking about their substance use can be especially difficult. They may not trust adults, and they may feel like they are being judged. It’s important to remember that communicating with your teen about their substance use is a dialogue, not a lecture. Try to keep the lines of communication open by being understanding and non-judgmental.
If you can create an open and non-judgmental environment, you may be able to get them to open up to you. Remember that your goal is to understand their point of view and help them make informed choices. Below you will find five ways to open up the lines of communication with your child.
#1. Tend Your Own Garden
Communicating with your teen can be difficult, as they are going through many changes and emotions themselves. It’s essential to be aware of your feelings and triggers before communicating with your teen, as this will help the conversation be more effective.
Too often, parents enter into conversations with their teens without first understanding their own emotions. They may react to what they say without thinking about it, or find themselves defensive when they bring up specific topics.
In order to effectively communicate with teens, you must understand your own emotions and triggers. This can help you to have calm, productive conversations that lead to mutual understanding. By being aware of your feelings, you can avoid the pitfalls of communicating in a way that doesn’t work for either of you.
#2. Practice Active Listening
Teens are at an age where they are exploring their independence and trying to figure out who they are. As a result, they can be easily defensive and unwilling to listen to what you have to say. However, trying to communicate effectively with your teenager is still essential. One way to do this is by practicing active listening. This means that you focus on what they are saying and try to understand their perspective. However, it’s also important to let them do the talking.
Teenagers need to feel like their voices are being heard. If you can provide a safe and supportive environment for communicating, it will go a long way in helping you relate to your teenager. Try to put yourself in their shoes and understand what they are going through, as this can help you to better communicate with them. If you can have an open and understanding conversation, your teen will more likely to feel comfortable communicating with you in return.
Always be respectful when communicating with your teen, as this will show that you value their thoughts and opinions. Remember, communication is key in any relationship, so keep the lines of communication open with your teen.
#3. Validate Their Feelings
Because teens are at an age where they are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world, they can be moody and unpredictable. It’s important to remember that your teenager is going through many physical and emotional changes.
In order to effectively communicate with your teenager, it’s essential to validate their feelings. Tell them that you understand what they are going through and that you’re here for them. When you take the time to listen to your teenager and show that you understand their feelings, you will be better able to connect with them and establish trust.
#4. Resist the Urge to Lecture
One of the most important things to remember when communicating with your teenager is to resist the urge to lecture them. It can be tempting to try and solve all of their problems by offering advice and sharing your wisdom, but this will usually only result in your teen becoming defensive and shutting down.
Instead, try to focus on listening more than you speak. Show that you are interested in hearing their perspective, and be open to compromise. Communicating this way can build a stronger relationship with your teen and help you better understand what they are going through.
#5. Spend Time Together
Teens may be moody, withdrawn, and uninterested in what you say. However, it’s helpful to remember that communication is a two-way street. In order to effectively communicate with your teenager, it is vital to spend time together. This doesn’t mean controlling them or prying into their personal lives. Instead, try to find common interests that you can share together.
It could be something as simple as watching a movie or walking. The key is to create an environment where your teenager feels comfortable talking to you. When they know that you are interested in what they have to say, they will be more likely to open up and share their thoughts and feelings with you.
As any parent of a teenager knows, communicating with them can be a challenge. Teens often seem sullen and unwilling to talk, and it can be difficult to get them to open up about what’s going on in their lives. Talking with teens about substance abuse can be especially daunting. However, effective communication is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with your teenager. One way to facilitate communication is to practice active listening. This means giving your full attention to the speaker, making eye contact, and resisting the urge to interrupt or offer advice. Instead, simply let your teenager talk and try to understand their perspective. By communicating respectfully with your teenager, you can create a stronger bond with them and better navigate the challenges of adolescence. For more information about conflict resolution with teens, call Clearfork Academy today at (817) 259-2597.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
