1. Make yourself available for talks and try to talk each day.  At the same time, be respectful of your teen’s need for silence.
   
2. Offer praise when deserved and remember to express your love, even if your teen acts like it doesn’t matter, it does.
   
3. Show that your are paying attention:  use good eye contact and ask for clarification if needed.
   
4. Be positive and encouraging, and choose words and concepts that teens understand.
   
5. Rather than jump to conclusions, give your teen a chance to explain thoughts and actions.
   
6. Ban communication-stoppers such as guilt, commands, ultimatums, preaching, judging or works live “never” or “always.”
   
7. Be brief.  Most teens tune out nagging, and retain shorter messages longer.
   
8. Practice win-win communication.  A healthy compromise with both parties feeling like winners helps teens learn negotiation skills.
   
9. When the consequence of a conflict won’t harm your teen, give him or her the opportunity to disagree without being accused of “talking back.”  Your teen will gain self respect.
   
10. Don’t feel you have to know everything.  It is okay to say, “I don’t know, but let’s find out together.”

Remember:  In order to guide teens and share their world, you must keep the lines of communication open.