Family Communication

Does your family convey messages of love and respect through careful listening? Parents who do take time to listen to their teens are more likely establishing friendship, trust and respect. Family therapy is much better treatment than other troubled teen program.

The following steps can help you listen more effectively:

1. Be accepting. A good listener accepts other people’s descriptions of their feelings, motives, or goals without lecturing them on how they should think or feel.
2. Avoid interrupting. When people share their feelings, avoid interrupting with your own experiences and opinions.
3. Share your perspective. Once others have expressed their feelings, they may want to hear your perspective. If so, explain how you see the situation and offer alternatives. But unless serious matters are involved, wise parents often allow children to make their own decisions and learn by experience to the extent appropriate for their age and level of responsibility.