Communication Tips

Listen:
• listen without judgement, criticism, or lecture

• listen to their fears, concerns, and ideas

Communication:
• be willing to talk – make time

• what are your expectations

• does my son know the consequences of his actions

• "I" statements – i.e. this is how it looks to me, I need you to know this scares me about what you have just shared.

• confidentiality

Acknowledge:
• validate fears, concerns, and ideas

• stress and pressure from school and friends

• the difficulty of saying "NO" at times

• the curiosity

• when he makes healthy decisions

• good kids make bad choices

Be Our Role Model:
• tell him your experiences, not war stories (but stay in the moment)

• he watches what you do and the messages it gives him

• don’t give him mixed messages, i.e. you can drink with us at the cabin but I don’t want you drinking

• parents must be on the same page, united front