6 Simple Ways to Connect with your Teen

Let's face it — sometimes it seems as though teenagers hail from a different planet. While it's true that your teenage child still needs your guidance as a parent, many times it feels as though having a conversation with them might seem about as easy as scaling Mt. Everest with no equipment.

The next time you're struggling to connect with your teen, try some of these simple ways to get them talking and help get the lines of communication open.


- Share His Interests
Does your teen love all things sports? Or art? Or fashion and design? Whatever their interests may be, make them your interests too! Start following your teen’s favourite sports team, read the monthly fashion magazine or do anything to understand what they are interested in. This will make it easier to engage in a conversation with them!

- Do Something Together
Spending time with your teen doesn’t mean hours at the mall with his or her friends. Teach your teen something new, like how to make their favourite cookies or rent a movie you’ve both been excited to watch. Just spending time together at home or in a relaxed environment can help draw your teen out of their shell.

- Skip the Lecture
Lecturing your teen will only cause them to shut down and stop listening. Focus on conveying to your teen how you feel about certain situations. Once you have done this, calmly listen to what your teen has to say and keep an open mind.

- Keep it Simple
You don’t have deep, philosophical conversations with your teen to connect with them. Try asking more specific question if your response is always a shrug or a one-worded answer. Having simple, daily conversations will help give you insight into your teen’s world and help them open up.

- Give them Breathing Room
You don’t need to smother your teen with questions to make it seem like you’re interested in their life. Most teenagers value their space, and giving it to them shows that your trust them. If your teen knows that you trust them, they will be more likely to come to you to talk.

- Have Family Meals
There are few things a teenager loves more than food, right? Try eat dinner together as often as you can, so you can chat about each other’s lives. Ask your teen to switch their phone off or leave it in their room so they don’t get distracted. You will be amazed what you can learn while sharing a meal together.


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