21: Language that Keeps Teens Coming Back for Your Support & Guidance

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cynthia Klein is an Educator, Coach, Speaker, and Author. Through her work, Cynthia helps parents of children from age five to thirty. Cynthia understands how frustrating it is when your teen doesn’t let you in on their day-to-day life. Is it just because your teen is ‘going through a phrase’? No! It’s on you to open the lines of communication and learn how to truly listen to your teen. Cynthia shares how to develop a closer relationship with your child in this week’s episode. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Takeaways</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How do you make your teen feel heard and understood when they’re opening up to you? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">When should a parent first start to create an open dialogue with their teen? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">You first need to determine if you want to work with them, or if you want to be an authority figure with them. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">You can’t be the authority figure all the time, especially if you want your teen to open up and trust you.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Your teen is still developing, so it’s important to create safety around good decision making. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Parents often think they know best, although this maybe true, it sends the wrong message to teenagers.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">As a parent, start getting good at recognizing communication blocks. Is your child talking more or are they shutting down when you chime in with your opinion? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 40