In his Aug. 25 parenting column in the British paper The Globe and Mail, Anthony E. Wolf advises parents to "try a little tenderness" in order to soften teens' resistance to conversation.
"It is a really good idea, on a regular basis, to make sure you say affectionate things to your teenager. Every day. More than once a day," Wolf wrote. "This is not a minor suggestion. This definitely is one of those deals where a little can go a long way."
If you walk into the living room searching for a pen, and your teen is engrossed in video games, say "I love you" before you leave the room, Wolf advises. Or tell your son youre proud of him as you drop him off at school.
Your children may not respond to your kind words, but odds are they'll appreciate hearing what you say.
Labels: communication, parental-involvement
Posted By: Aspen/CRC