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There is no denying it, the compilation of a teens life is different in the 21st century than it was maybe 15 or so years ago. For instance, you can be compiling and conjuring up quality articles and being half the age of the majority of people on Helium.com. What I've come to notice, as I am going through this as well, is that people who are older than me look down on me simply because of my lack of history. So I'm not a fossil! Oh well, I'm still excelling in a place dominated by 30-somethings.

I will say, our teen years are major stepping-stone years. We start off 13 and impressionable. We hit 14 and gain our first girlfriend or boyfriend. We skip into years 15-17 hoping to drive, drink, have a good time, and learn about where we are in life, possibly where we want to go.

Yet not all of us are party animals, as we are often perceived. I think a large chunk of the awareness of our behavior stems from that idea. Adults always think we are up to the worst, and I am no exception. Our mien is a tarnished one, at best description. Teachers are often paranoid and show us no mercy when making even one mistake. Our elders ask for respect, most of us give it, but we don't really get that same respect back.

Everyone is guilty of at some point judging a teen, whether it's your child or someone else's. We just don't have a good reputation. I advise you to heed this advice so you can use it to the ultimate advantage. I am probably the most reliable source for any sort of tips when you aim to interact with a teen respectively. I desire respect myself, and to not have it is quite upsetting.

Reminiscing back to last semester, I had a teacher I wasn't particularly fond of. She had no reason to have a problem with me, as I maintained a perfect grade throughout her whole class. Do you ponder why? No respect. Whenever I asked a simple question, she would look at me through the eyes of a diminutive person who wanted to push the fact that she was smarter than you, more successful than you, and always had more potential than you ever will. I was once snapped at for turning in work from when I was absent early! Ask yourself, do you want to be that person that teenagers despise?

Most of us would probably say, no. In our society, the teens hierarchy is a meager one and we'd like if that was not so. It is the learning stage of our lives, but we don't want to be viewed so openly as inferiors. In all honest candor, we really want to be appeased as adults.

The number one thing I advise you not to do is tell any teen flat out that they need to grow up. No teen wants to hear that, we hear it enough on a daily basis. Treat only the immature as immature. Treat a teens conversation as one you would have with any adult. Acquiesce their choices and don't be judgmental of those who you are unsure of.

When you enter a conversation, please try to enter with an open mind. Be open to whatever that young person has to say. Every teen likes to express themselves without consequence of being misleading.

Think before you speak, saying something you probably shouldn't have could be the central theme for why they don't converse with you. Steer clear of things that are sensitive such as sexuality, religion, or race. Those three topics are recipe for disaster.

Altogether, if you steer clear of uncomfortable topics, keep an open mind, express your true feelings without being forceful or judgmental and don't mention their age too frequently, make them feel that your conversations and interactions are valuable to you.

Learn more about this author, Chelsea Miracle.
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