by Ina Winslow

Created on: December 29, 2010   Last Updated: December 31, 2010

OK so uv taught ur parents 2 reply 2 ur texts.  But how do you get their attention—and get through to them—when you need to talk to them most?  If you need their advice, opinion, permission, or whenever you just need to share important information with them, what is the best way?

It depends.  That is, it depends on the nature of your relationship with your parents and the seriousness of the conversation you need to have with them.  Do you and your parents regularly spend time together each day, maybe at the dinner table, or in the car coming home from school?  Or do you see each other only in passing, while your parents are rushing to and from their jobs and you rush to and from school, sports team or club activities, or your own job? 

Do you have a strong relationship of mutual respect and trust with your parents?  Or do they feel you’re constantly testing the boundaries of parental authority or that you consider them clueless and out-of-touch with what really matters to you? 

Lack of time is one common barrier to communicating effectively with parents.  And lack of a close, trusting relationship is another.  But by choosing the appropriate means of communication, you can compensate for lack of time and maybe even develop a stronger relationship with your parents.  And you’ll be more likely to ensure that you’re being heard and understood.  And that, after all, is the key to getting what you want and need when communicating with parents.

Generally speaking, the stronger your relationship, the easier it is to communicate with parents in a casual manner, even when the subject matter is something serious.  Maybe you just need to let Mom or Dad know you’re going home with a friend after school.  If they know your friend, and they trust you to share important information with them, a quick text or even a voice mail message may be all that’s needed.  “I’m going home with Kyle Smith after school.  Mrs. Smith will be there, and you can come pick me up at 5:00,” will give your parents the basic facts that parents always need to know: where you are, who you’re with, and that your friend’s parent will be around. 

However, suppose there are some unknowns in this picture.  Maybe your parents don’t know your friend, or your friend’s parents.  Maybe your parents have other plans that evening that

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>