"Practically Speaking..." (courtesy of Dr. Tammy Finch, SKILLSENSE)

Practically Speaking... (Communication Tips)

DON'T:

• Boss
• Control
• Demand respect
• Make autocratic decisions
• Restrict endlessly

DO:

• Question powerfully*
• Guide
• Act as role models
• Show respect
• Facilitate decision making
• Empower

* a GREAT tool - to engage teen in process of making own decisions, to build critical and independent thinking skills, i.e. What choices do you have? What do you think needs to happen? What are you willing to do to affect the outcome you want? Here's what I am seeing...what are you seeing?

excerpt from presentation, "Stepping Into The Fray: Common Sense Strategies 

for Parenting Teens, for the Center for Hope and Healing - January, 2012

courtesy of Dr. Tammy Finch, SKILLSENSE - skillsense.org