Talk Side-by-Side - Center for Parent and Teen Communication

Communicating with Teens: The Side-by-Side Approach

• Core Strategy: Avoid direct eye contact to encourage teens to open up and communicate more freely.
• The "Intensity" Factor: Staring directly at a teen can feel confrontational or intense, potentially causing them to shut down.
• Lack of Eye Contact: Not looking at a parent does not necessarily imply dishonesty; it often reduces the pressure of the interaction.
• Recommended Settings:
  • Engage in conversation while the teen is occupied with a task (e.g., making a snack).
  • Utilize the car as a space for conversation, as it naturally facilitates side-by-side positioning.
• The Benefit: Removing the need for the teen to monitor the parent’s facial expressions or reactions allows them to focus on expressing their own thoughts.