This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, all opinions are my own.
Ask yourself, does your tween or teen have your undivided attention?
I am excited to once again partner with the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, an organization that uses science-based methods to support healthy family relationships. On their website, you can find a litany of information, including videos on how to communicate with your teen. One amazing point is that they give quality information in 100 words or less.
One of their useful animations involves The Easiest Way To Monitor Your Teen. This may seem pretty cut-and-dry from the title, but it’s not what you expect. It’s about clarifying when you talk to your teen, instead of reacting, and being sure that they have your undivided attention. This stood out to me because I have always assumed this is what I was doing, but in reality, it’s not.
Instead of spending too much of your time on hit-or-miss questions, actively listening to them eliminates the need for so many follow-ups, as we are creating a relationship where they want to talk to us.
How are you using your time with your teen? Is it reacting or clarifying? Check out CPTC’s website for more parenting tips and be sure to sign up for the newsletter. Let me know on social which animation is your favorite.
Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.
