If you Respect me I will hear you.
If you Hear me I will feel understood.
If you Understand me I will feel appreciated.
If you Appreciate me I will feel your support.
If you Support me to take on my own responsibilities
I will become responsible.
When I am Responsible I will become independent.
In my Independence
I will respect you and love you all of my life.

Ten Ways To Improve Your Parent/Teen Relationship!

1. Stop! How are you judging your teenager? What perception do you have of them? What is getting in the way? Before you even open your mouth, ask yourself how you want to see this person. Do you want to see another troublesome teenager or do you want to see your wonderful son or daughter who still desperately needs your support and guidance?

2. Listen with your mouth shut. When your teen talks, zip your lips! Just listen, do not respond, just listen.

3. Their point of view. When your teen talks listen from their point of view. Get into their shoes, how do they feel, how must it feel to be your teen? What are their real issues? Respond from this place.

4. Get yourself out of the way, this is not about you, it is about them. This will be the hardest thing to master. Listen without judgement. Only talk when you have something constructive to say that will support your teen and move them forward. Always ask yourself, "Why Am I Talking?"

5. They are still just children. Whatever we may think (or they might think) our teens are still children and we still have responsibility to support them. Do not abandon your teen; they need you now more than ever.

6. Stop trying to be right. This is not about being right, it is about a lifelong relationship with your teen. Get rid of the need to be right and ask yourself is it more important to show love and understanding or be right?

7. Be a role model - be the change in the world that you want to see. What example are you setting for your teen? Are you being what you are asking of your teen? Take a look at yourself and become a positive role model.

8. How many times do you tell your teen that you respect them? We often say how proud we are, but how often do we say that we respect them? When we say we are proud, we are coming from our perspective. When we say we respect them, we are coming for theirs. Try and say this daily.

9. Accomplishments vs. Qualities. How often do you praise your children on their qualities? We often praise our children on the accomplishments they achieve but how often do we praise them on their qualities. Try it; they will thank you for it in later life.

10. Have Fun! When was the last time you did something fun with your teen? Fun is an important part of life. Go and do something fun together. They will always remember it.