When someone asks me; what is it that you do? My answer: that I facilitate that parents and teens listen to each other without defending, speak without offending, sit face to face-knee to knee, and  let the walls of resentment and mistrust breakaway so that each can start enjoying the other.  I try to convince parents not to personalize certain attitudes that are common for certain ages. I explain the importance of reflective listening and how the more we listen in this manner the more the teen will talk. I encourage self reflection and auto inventory of what each is capable of committing to in order to bring change.

A strong factor that aids in inspiring teens to change is experiencing their parent/s willingness to commit to change. Parents and teens must reflect after each incident and take inventory of ways that each can change the non productive communication patterns into loving and positive. We are teaching and modeling for our teens how we deal with hurt, disappointment and frustration that accompany almost all relationships at one level or the other.

Here are some of my favorite parenting quotes: can you relate? Share your favorite parenting quote or your comments.

If you have never been hated by your child you have never been a parent.  ~Bette Davis

Adolescence is perhaps nature’s way of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest.  ~Karen Savage and Patricia Adams, The Good Stepmother

The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.  ~Lane Olinghouse

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.  One is roots.  The other is wings.  ~Hodding Carter, Jr.

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.  ~Haim Ginott

Adolescence is a period of rapid changes.  Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.  ~Author Unknown

There is nothing wrong with today’s teenager that twenty years won’t cure.  ~Author Unknown
At fourteen you don’t need sickness or death for tragedy.  ~Jessamyn West

Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity – a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother.  ~Rose Kennedy