Spending Quality Time With Youth

• Keep a calendar of scheduled family time.
• Become involved in the activities your teenager participates in regularly.
• Involve your child or teen in activities you enjoy and participate in.
• Plan outings and spend family time away from home.
• Take an interest in your child or teen’s school assignments, and ask him about his interests.
• Make dinnertime a ritual at a set time during the day and let everyone know how important it is to share dinner together.
• Try to relate to and/or understand your teen’s trends, such as clothing, music and technology.
• Take time to talk with your child or teen, and show that you’re interested in hearing what he has to say.

Communicating With Your Child or Teen

• Give your child or teen your full attention; turn off the television, avoid phone calls and talking to others.
• Listen carefully, paying attention to what your child or teen says, but also to what she does not say.
• Give your child or teen space to talk; don’t interrupt or stop to ask questions, but be patient and listen.
• Ask your child what she thinks about what’s happening in her life, at school, in the community.
• Speak simply, avoid long explanations and speak directly to your child or teen’s concern.
• Speak courteously and respectfully to your child, just as you would to any other family member or friend.