Getting Teens To Open Up and Talk

Some people were brought up in families that practiced daily conversations. Teens are bombarded with sounds. They may relish moments of silence and reflection. Sometimes school and family are the last things they want to talk about. Your child might even want to talk to someone about her fears, hopes or dreams . . . someone who will just listen with interest.
Go to the library and read “Introvert or Extrovert” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, an article in the February 1992 issue of Working Mother magazine. If your child is more of an introvert, she needs quiet time and time alone to recharge her energy. If she is an extrovert, she charges up by talking with others.
On the other hand, the problem may simply be the topics of conversation. Teens don’t always like to be the topic under discussion. Try talking about your memories of being a teen.
This will take the pressure off her and put the focus on you.
It may also open the door if she wants to tell you about something important to her.

Evelyn Petersen’s nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country.Evelyn Petersen’s nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country. You can read more from Evelyn at her web site: www.askevelyn.com