COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS AS TEENS By Christian Samuel J.S.
BERITA LAINNYA - 12 April 2025
When we're younger, communicating with parents feels natural. As children, we tend to share everything, like our stories, and dreams, it’s like we share every single detail of our life with them. However, as we grow older, this dynamic shifts. Adolescence, the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, brings increased independence, new friendships, and busier schedules, which can create a gap between teens and their parents. This decrease in communication might seem harmless at first, but it can affect the bond that teens share with their parents in the long term.
These days, teenagers often prioritize friends and personal time over family interactions. Studies show that modern lifestyles, like technology and social media, play a significant role in reducing family engagement. Not only that, but teens may also feel their parents don't understand their interests or emotions, or fear being judged or misunderstood. This gap isn't unique, but it’s very common across families worldwide and the majority of it is rooted in developmental changes and the increasing need for independence during adolescence.
Maintaining communication with parents has both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, teens who frequently talk to their parents often feel more emotionally supported and secure, which boosts their self-esteem and helps them navigate their day-to-day challenges better. On the other hand, avoiding such communication can lead to feelings of isolation or misunderstandings between parents and teens. While friendships are essential for growth, over-reliance on peers for emotional support may limit the guidance from parents, who often provide a better perspective on life since they know us more than anyone else.
To bridge the gap between teens and parents, here are 3 practical solutions you can try:
- Make Small Talk: Set aside moments during the day, like during lunch or dinner to talk with your parents. Small chats about your day can strengthen your bond with them.
- Be Honest and Open: Share your thoughts and feelings with your parents, even if they’re difficult to articulate. Honest conversations build trust over time.
- Doing Activities Together: Do things you enjoy with your parents, like cooking, watching movies, or exercising together. This can help strengthen your bond with your parents.
Doing things alone or with your friends may be great, but you’ll always need your parents' support no matter what! Improving communication with your parents may not be an overnight process, and it takes patience and effort from both sides, but the results are worth it! I hope this article can give you the motivation to open up a conversation with your parents. God Bless You!
Sources:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201411/when-adolescents-start-talking-less-to-parents
- https://www.teenline.org/post/why-teens-don-t-talk-to-their-parents
- https://tametheteen.com/what-causes-communication-problems-between-teens-parents/
- https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/teenagers/why-teenagers-dont-talk-to-their-parents/
- https://evolvetreatment.com/blog/improve-communication-parents/
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