If you have a teen who is reluctant to open up or talk about their problems, there are a few possible explanations. Perhaps they have a bad experience in the past with a parent or a teacher, or they have a lot of pressure from their peers to keep their problems to themselves. Whatever the reason, the best you can do is try to get to know your teen so you can better understand their situation. Whatever the issue, you have to start with the belief that you can help your teen and have a willingness to work with them — no matter how long it takes.
Tips to Get Your Teen to Open Up and Talk
Teenage years are tough, but it can be a wonderful time of sharing and learning for those of you lucky enough to have a teenager who wants to talk with you. But, with the world of constant technology and social media, it is no easy task to keep in contact and keep them talking. Parents often struggle with how to get their teenage children to open up and talk to them about emotions and feelings. The good news is that the key to having a healthy relationship with your teen is to ask for what you want, keep an open mind, and be willing to listen.
Get Interested in Their Interests
A great way to get your teen to open up is to get interested in their interests! Parents of teens often find it difficult to get their children to open up, share their thoughts, and be more proactive. If you have the same interest as your child, there are chances that your kid will open up with you. So if, for example, your child is interested in history, why not start a project together where you use a resource like Genealogy Bank to learn about your own family history and discover who made you the people you are today. As they open up to you, you will understand their problem better if you have been able to strengthen your bond by both being interested in the same thing.
Start the Conversation Wisely
If you have a tween or teen in your house, chances are you have questions about them. You might be curious about how they think, what they say, what they do, etc. The easiest way to get to know your kids better is to start having open conversations. They’re an opportunity to get to know them better, understand them better, and have a richer relationship. Every time you have an open conversation, you’ll find that it adds value to your life.
Create More Family Time
It is healthier for your family if you can manage to have a family-quality bond. Eating together as a whole family will boost your confidence to open up to each other. An alternative and fun way to bond with your child could be by having regular game nights and playing their favourite board games together, such as games from Wizards of the Coast. Even your teen in your family will become more comfortable opening up when you have your regular bond together.
Lead by Example
If your teen doesn’t want to open up with you about their day, it is better if you will be the first one to open up. You will then be the first to say, “How’s your day been?” or “What situations did you face today and what did you do to cope with them?”
Listen, No Matter What
Some parents want their teens to be open and honest with them. Others want their teens to listen when they talk. Where do you stand? Do you try to get your teen to listen when you talk, or do you try to get your teen to open up and be honest with you? As you can probably guess, there is no simple answer. One of the most important things you can do is to listen to your teen. This is one of the most important things you can do for your teen, one of the most important things you can do to get your teen to open up, and one of the most important things you can do to get your teen to talk to you.
Teenagers are often hard to understand. Their feelings can shift from one day to the next; how they act one minute can be wildly different the next. When they’re having a rough time, they don’t easily talk to you about their troubles, and when you ask them why they’re so moody, they give you a “whatever” shrug. And this is not just normal teenage behavior. It’s something new, something you have to understand.
