Communication Tips

Tips for Communicating With Your Teen The Fall 2003 issue of Driven, a publication of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), contained some tips for communicating with your teen on sensitive subjects: Don’t accuse. When discussing a sensitive subject, don’t make your children feel as if you are accusing them in advance. Listen to them. Let your children know you value their opinions by listening to them first. Then explain your opinion and back it up with well-researched facts. Don’t say "Because I am your mother (father)." Seal a deal. Ask your child "What are the things you think we should write down in an agreement that would help us feel relaxed about (a specific behavior like driving or going to a party)? What do you think?" Have dinner with them. Research shows that children who eat dinner regularly as a family are far less likely to engage in risky behaviors than those who do not. Prepare they don’t want to talk. Let them know that before they go out with friends, they will need to tell you who they will be with and what they plan to do. Similarly, before they drive, let them know there will be a meeting to discuss the rules that everyone will participate in regarding use of the car. Set clear consequences and be consistent. After the ground rules are established, set and enforce clear consequences for breaking those rules.