How to Talk to Your Teenager Without Losing Your Mind

Raising teenagers can be both exciting and stressful. There’s a lot going on in their lives. They’re learning how to manage their own thoughts, feelings. and identities apart from mom and dad.

Developmentally, that’s a good thing. But in many families, a teenager’s struggle for independence becomes a tug-of-war with parents who take their authority seriously.

Effective communication with a teenager can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to navigate conflict, emotional triggers, disrespect, and even a few slammed doors.

Dr. Kenneth Wilgus – an author, speaker, and licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of adolescents and families – is joining us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “How to Talk to Your Teen without Losing Your Mind.”

Dr. Wilgus explains how to strategically give up control over your teenagers’ lives in ways that prepare them for adulthood, including:

Transfer control. Over the course of childhood, commit to an orderly and progressive transfer of power from yourself to your child.
Train your teen. Relinquishing control is not about allowing your teen the freedom to “run wild.” It’s about training your teen to exercise control over their lives in non-dangerous ways.
Expect responsibility. A teen’s freedom should never burden the family. With increased freedom comes increased responsibility.

Hear my full conversation with Dr. Wilgus on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

Before I close, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Dr. Wilgus’ book Feeding the Mouth That Bites You: A Complete Guide to Parenting Adolescents and Launching Them into the World as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).