Tips to communicating with teens

Communicating with teens can be a difficult task to balance. Teens often feel isolated and lonely. It can take time and space for teens to feel comfortable enough to start opening up and being receptive to the information being shared with them. Through my experience working with teens, I have seen the most success communicating with them by being real and honest with them while also building rapport.

Earning a teens trust can also prove to be challenging. It can be crucial to a teen to have a trusted adult who they can turn to in times of need. Sometimes a teen might not know that they need the extra support and having an adult in their life that they can trust can be important as they venture to adulthood.

Some key tips on communicating with teens include:

1. Listening

2. Validating their feelings

3. Showing trust

4. Not being a dictator

5. Giving praise

6. Controlling your emotions

7. Doing things together

8. Sharing regular meals

9. Being observant

All of these tips can help build trust and rapport with teens within a family unit or outside of a family unit. Teens aren't good at regulating their emotions and they are often tempted with risky behaviors such as substance use and having that strong communication practice set in place with the teen will help them feel less lonely and isolated and more supported to tackle the difficult times.