school lately?”
Instead of:
“Why are you always hiding in your room?”
try:
“I’ve noticed you’ve been spending more time alone lately. Is everything okay?”
Instead of:
“Who are you talking to?”
try:
“Is there something happening with your friends that you’ve been thinking about?”
The goal is to start a conversation rather than force a confession.
Listen More Than You Speak
Parents often feel the need to immediately solve the problem.
A teenager says:
“I’m having trouble with a friend.”
The parent immediately responds:
“Here’s what you need to
