Solomon Ola ABR, BPOR Realty of America Solomon Ola- Realty of America 1802 Williamson Court, Suite 102 Brentwood, TN 37027 O: 615-370-0456 M: 615-319-9064 Contact Me

Say yes to rides. If your teenager doesn’t have his or her driver's license yet, you’re probably frustrated by the endless requests for rides all over town. Don’t be. The intrinsic privacy of the car provides one of the best opportunities to talk with teens, and a time when they often feel safe opening up and sharing feelings.

Embrace texting. While face-to-face conversations may be scarce, teens and texting are inseparable, so make texting a part of your communication game plan. Not only is texting a quick, painless way for them to check in with you, it’s oftentimes a way for them to share more serious information. Texting allows them to avoid an awkward, in-person conversation, and gives you time to think and respond thoughtfully as opposed to just reacting.

Say sorry. The parent/teen relationship is often a volatile one. You’ll probably say the wrong thing in the wrong way several times over. That’s ok. Just be sure to apologize. This shows teens that nobody’s perfect—not even you—and that you respect them and their approach toward adulthood.

These small strategies can go a long way in creating healthy communication during a critical time in your child's life, and set the stage for a strong relationship long into adulthood!