Psychology Dictionary
  • Dictionary
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • I
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U
    • W
    • Y
    • Z
  • Health Topics
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • PCP
    • Pediatrics
    • Personality Disorders
    • Primary Care
    • Schizophrenia
    • Sleepdisorders
    • Substance Abuse Disorders
Aa
Psychology Dictionary
Aa
Search
  • Dictionary
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • I
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U
    • W
    • Y
    • Z
  • Health Topics
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • PCP
    • Pediatrics
    • Personality Disorders
    • Primary Care
    • Schizophrenia
    • Sleepdisorders
    • Substance Abuse Disorders
Follow US
© PscyhologyDictionary.org. All Rights Reserved.
Home > Articles > How to Talk to a Teen
ArticlesPediatrics

How to Talk to a Teen

By N., Sam M.S.

Many parents and adults see communication with teenagers as inherently difficult or even impossible. It doesn?t have to be. By understanding the basic thought processes of a developing mind, parents can easily communicate with their teenagers. Ultimately, by properly communicating with teens, parents can foster an environment of open communication and collaboration with their children.

Treat Them Like Adults

This seems counterintuitive, but it works incredibly well. Teens do not want to be treated like children. They are blossoming into sassy and rebellious pre-adults, and they just can?t handle being talked at. They need to be spoken to as if they are already full-blown adults. Speak to a teen like an adult, and see how well they respond. This comes as a surprise to many parents who are still trying to talk to their teenagers like children.

Avoid The Lecture

The lecture is one of the most dreaded consequences for teenagers. Once the lecture begins, parents can just assume that all hope is lost for communicating the intended message. Teens shut off to this type of conversation style. It needs to be avoided at all costs. It?s important to remember that the lecture can be abandoned at any time. Teens will appreciate it, and be more open to a less hostile conversation.

Show Respect and Appreciate Value

Teenagers are so hung up on respect. They need to feel like their opinions, feelings and viewpoints are appreciated. During a conversation with a teen, it?s so important to show respect for the feelings that are being communicated. If a teen feels underappreciated or disrespected, he or she will immediately shut off or become more recalcitrant. Showing appreciation for a teen?s viewpoint is also a great way to foster a more open environment for communication.

Be a Good Listener

Talking to a teen isn?t just about talking. It?s about listening. They are going through physically, mentally, emotionally and physiologically demanding changes. Teens may seem incredibly melodramatic, but they still need to be listened to. Developing good listening skills should be a top priority for any parent with teenaged children. Teens will be more likely to speak openly with parents who are good listeners. Talking with teens shouldn?t be this impossible ordeal. Adults just need to understand how teens want to be spoken to. Perhaps, new styles of communication need to be adopted for successfully talking to teen listeners.

ID, 'custom_sentence', true); if (!empty($custom_sentence)) { ?>
: ""
Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "How to Talk to a Teen," in PsychologyDictionary.org, September 9, 2013, https://psychologydictionary.org/how-to-talk-to-a-teen/ (accessed September 24, 2023).
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Avatar photo
By N., Sam M.S.
Sam holds a masters in Child Psychology and is an avid supporter of Psychology academics.

Latest Posts

How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Health as You Age
How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Health as You Age
Psychology of Calling Someone by Their Name
Psychology of Calling Someone by Their Name
Psychology of Excessive Gift Giving
Psychology of Excessive Gift Giving
Psychology of a Disorganized Person
Psychology of a Disorganized Person
Psychology Behind Communication
Psychology Behind Communication
Psychology of Fashion
Psychology of Fashion
Psychology of Wearing Hats
Psychology of Wearing Hats
The Psychology of Clothes
The Psychology of Clothes
Psychology of Revealing Clothing
Psychology of Revealing Clothing
Psychology of Spitting on Someone
Psychology of Spitting on Someone
Psychology of Staring at a Woman
Psychology of Staring at a Woman
Psychology Behind Interior Design
Psychology Behind Interior Design

Popular Psychology Terms

JUDGMENT
MEDICAL MODEL
HYPERMNESIA
AFFIRMATION
BRAINWASHING
BACKUP REINFORCER
QUALITY
WELL-BEING
AFFILIATIVE BEHAVIOR
MESSAGE-LEARNING APPROACH
HABIT
SPONTANEOUS NEURAL ACTIVITY
EXCITATION-TRANSFER THEORY
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Read This Next

How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Health as You Age

How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Health as You Age

By N., Sam M.S.

Evaluation of a Quantitative Study

By Danielle Bosley

Service Team Roles

By Danielle Bosley

Intelligence Across the African-American and Latino Cultures

By Danielle Bosley

Cultural Norms & Values in the African-American Population

By Danielle Bosley

Evaluation of a Qualitative Study

By Danielle Bosley

Crisis Intervention

By Danielle Bosley

DSM-5 Criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder

By Danielle Bosley

About Us

Powered by Psychology Dictionary: the only Free Online Psychology Dictionary

Follow Us

©2023 PsychologyDictionary.org

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy