No article can tell you how to talk to your teen. This article can, however, give you some tips that might be useful to you.

1. Do not assume you understand what your teen is going through. One of the most frustrating things about talking to parents is hearing them say, "I know what you're going through" and feel like they have absolutely no idea. You may have had a similar situation when you were a teen, but that was a different time, possibly a different place, and definitely a very different person. Some things still apply to life today. Others don't. It's hard to tell when so, as a rule, stay away from personal anecdotes.

2. Do not underestimate the magnitude of your teen's problems. Things that may not seem like a big deal to you may seem like the end of the world to him or her. Also, do not chalk this up to the fact that he or she is a teenager. It may be because he or she is different from you and some things are more important to him or her than to you. For example, your son might prefer band to football or you daughter might prefer football to band.

3. Do not underestimate your teen. You may feel that your teen is young and naive. He or she probably is. But you have to let you teen choose which path is right for him or her personally and learn from their mistakes on their own.

4. Do not follow any rules. Your teen is an unique and individual person. It is silly to think that anyone, especially a total stranger, can tell you how to talk to him or her. Listen to your teen. Let him or her know he or she is important. If you have something important to say to him or her, explain it and ask for his or her attention. Treat him or her - as often as you can - as an adult.

Learn more about this author, Brighid Flanagan.
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