If you ever feel like conversing with your teen is like having a one way conversation, you are not alone. Many parents try to engage their teens or ‘tweens’ in conversation, but the discussion is one-sided. Truth is, it really is ‘just a phase’ that most teens go through as they transition from little kid, to a ‘young adult’, but it’s tough on Mom & Dad when your own kid seems to ignore you completely!

Here’s a tip for you: teens often confuse a parent’s general interest in their well-being as another way of nagging them. Every child has a different rhythm. Some kids are very talkative after school but fall silent at meals. Others are usually quiet after sports practice but warm up after homework is done. Ask your teens what times of the day they typically feel like talking and which times are “no-go-zones.” That way if you know your kids are in no-go-zones until they get their after-school snack, they can simply listen to music in the car ride home and have a much better conversation when your child is ready.

So how do you make a ‘non-versation’ a conversation with your teenagers?