10 ways to stay connected with your teen
As your teen becomes more independent, you may find that you’re spending less time together. Here are some ways you can stay in touch with your teen:
- Find interests you share and activities you can do together.
- Keep up-to-date and involved with your teen’s activities. Show your interest by asking about her basketball game or trip to the movies.
- Go out to eat together. Listen to what your son has to say.
- Show an interest in your teen’s music. Find out who her favourite artists and songs are and what she likes about them.
- Show an interest in your teen’s friends and encourage them to get together at your house.
- Help your teen understand the different stages of life by visiting friends and family members of all ages.
- Make sure your teen knows she can share her problems with you. Help her benefit from your successes and mistakes.
- Read together as a family and discuss what everyone is reading.
- Keep track of family successes in a journal for each year.
- Write your teen a letter. Let him know what he does that makes you proud, how you see him growing and maturing – and other emotions you may find difficult to express to him directly.
