Be an Available Parent

Parenting is a full-time, 24/7 job, but being available doesn’t mean being latched to someone every second of the day. You need to take care of yourself, too, and part of making that space is making your availability clear. Notice your teen’s communication style: where and when do they often strike up conversations? Introduce your thoughts on thorny issues before you encounter them as problems. And kick start a conversation when you have time instead of waiting for it to happen. Make it clear that your figurative door is always open if they need to talk.

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