PARENTING
Helping You
Help Your Teen
Talking To Your Teen
Talking with your teen is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Adolescence can be a challenging time, and your teen needs your support and guidance more than ever. By opening up lines of communication, you can help your teen navigate the ups and downs of this stage of life.
When you talk to your teen, you can learn about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and offer them guidance and support. It also gives you the opportunity to share your values and expectations with your teen, and set clear boundaries for their behavior.
When your teen knows that they can come to you with anything, they are more likely to seek your advice and support when they need it. Remember, talking with your teen is not always easy, but it is an essential part of parenting a teenager.
The Risky Behavior Conversation
If you talk to your teen directly and honestly, they are more likely to respect your rules and advice about alcohol and drug use. When parents talk with their children early and often about healthy behaviors, they can protect them from many high-risk behaviors including alcohol and drug use.
Teens look to their parents for acknowledgement, support, and understanding. A teen needs their parents to believe in them and support their interests so they don’t use alcohol and other drugs while their brains are still developing.
Talking with your teen about drugs and alcohol can be hard, but these are some of the most important conversations to have. The following tips can help set the stage for an effective conversation with your child. Kids who learn about the dangers of drug and alcohol use early and often are much less likely to misuse them than those who do not receive these important messages at home.
TIPS FOR TALKING TO YOUR TEEN
The middle School
Parent
Transitions Are Challenging for Youth and Parents
The transition from elementary to middle school is one of the biggest milestones in a child’s life. It’s an exciting time for them and you. Middle school students are on their way to becoming more independent, developing broader academic and extracurricular interests, and navigating new friend groups—all while their bodies and hormones are changing.
