by V. Z. Marcus

Created on: September 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2009

So you think you know your teen? You've watched them grow from a giggling little baby into a bumbling toddler; on through preschool and up into elementary. You've witnessed all the ups and downs that has brought them to where they are today; a fully functional and capable teenager. You might wonder at times just how well you know this person, and if there is something to who they are that is hidden or perhaps less understood then you might think. The fact is, adolescence can be a trying time, when your child's body and mind are experiencing change on a whole new level. Often times, this change brings with it new perspectives on the world and new opinions about how to live in it. Your teenager might adopt these new views in a variety of ways, leading to things like different clothing styles, ways of speaking, even the friends they surround themselves with. In an attempt to discover who they are and what they are changing into, teens will at times experiment with many different aspects of life, including drugs, sex, and alcohol. It's important that you have an understanding of how your teenager thinks, so that you can do your part as a parent to ensure their well being and success for the future.

Fortunately, there are three easy steps that you can take as a parent to ensure that you know all you can about your teen and how he or she is getting along with their life. These steps rely on a few simple ideas about the importance of communication, and if followed correctly, will lead you to an entirely new and exciting understanding of your teen.

*Observe. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of today's world it might be difficult to pay attention to what your teen is doing on a day to day basis. Take some time to observe what your teen does with their time. Their interests, their passions, all the things that they do in their life that makes up who they are as a person. In doing this, you will gain knowledge of your teen without overstepping into their lives and making them feel uncomfortable.

*Converse daily. This means taking the time to have a chat with your teen on a daily basis. It doesn't have to be a long drown out conversation, just enough to get a taste of how their day was or how they are feeling about everything that is going on in their life. You can do this during dinnertime or in the morning at breakfast before school, whenever you can get the chance. In keeping this communication line open, you encourage your teen to talk to you whenever the need might

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