10 Positives With Teenagers
jo Crosby
From the Desk of Suzanne Stangland
As a parent, I know how difficult it can be to maintain your composure when you are in the midst of a difficult and emotionally charged situation with your child. Please consider the following as proven strategies you can utilize to help keep a tough situation calm.
10 Positive Ways for You to Interact With Your Teenager in a Difficult Situation
1) Use a calm and controlled voice when speaking to your teenager
2) Use question statements instead of demands (i.e. Do this, Do that)
3) Keep an open body posture such as arms at side or behind your back
4) Create space so that your teenager does not feel trapped or cornered
5) Avoid using physical touch if possible if your teenager is angry
6) Be willing to pause an escalating discussion so you can take a break as well as your teenager
7) Remind your teenager they have been able to make good choices before so ask them to make good choices now
8) Avoid Sarcasm or flippant comments
9) Look for the underlying need that might be responsible for your teenager’s challenging behavior
10) Encourage your teenager to express what is bothering themthe best way they can prior to ending the encounter and/or determining consequences.