Family Communication: Sharing Feelings

Do you feel sometimes that your parents don’t have a clue about how you feel and what you need? When something’s bothering you, do you wish they could understand better? Communication comes in lots of different forms. Here are some simple ways to let your parents know how you feel, to let then know what’s important to you, and to let them know what you want.

• Watch a movie together and discuss how it made you feel.

• Feeling down? Tell them! Don’t forget to tell them why and what, if anything, they can do to make you feel better.

• Talk about what it was like for them when they were your age. Try to identify similar feelings, fears and hopes that you have.

• Did you have a fight with a friend? Talk it over with your parents. Explain why you’re mad and ask them to help you find a way to resolve the problem. Or, you can ask them to just listen while you get some things off of your chest.

• Discuss world events. There’s lots going on in the world, talk about it. You don’t have to always agree, just remember each of you has to be respectful of the others opinions.

• Admit that you are confused about some things and don’t know what you feel. Young or old, everyone gets confused, and very few of us have all the answers.

• Play the “maybe someday” game. Maybe someday I’ll . . . sing in a band, win a million dollars, climb mountains, have five kids, fly to Jupiter, save the world, write a book, be a movie star, clean out my room.

• Offer to teach each other something. There are lots of things you’re better at than your parents, show off for them!

• Find an activity you both enjoy and then do it together. Play a game, take up a hobby, or volunteer your time.

• Need some private time? Ask if you can ride to the store with them, take a walk around the block, talk while helping around the house. Find creative ways to chat while doing something together.

Have other questions? Talk to us. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY.