Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing Support for Students:
Managing Challenging Conversations with Your Teen
As parents, we often find ourselves in challenging conversations with our teenagers. Whether it's about sensitive topics like relationships, managing anxiety, safe partying, or academic struggles. These discussions can be emotionally charged and difficult to navigate. However, by approaching these conversations with empathy, respect, and open-mindedness, we can foster trust and strengthen our bond with our teens.
The first goal should be to create a safe and non-judgemental environment.
Establishing a safe and non-judgmental space is crucial for your teen to feel comfortable opening to you. Assure them that they can express themselves without fear of punishment or criticism. Be mindful of your body language and tone of voice, conveying empathy and understanding throughout the conversation.
Be mindful of timing and approach so that you choose the right time and place for difficult conversations. Avoid confrontations in the heat of the moment or when either of you is stressed. Ensure privacy and minimize distractions, allowing for focused and uninterrupted dialogue. Approach the conversation with a calm and patient demeanour, maintaining a cooperative and problem-solving mindset.
In this Generation Next article, there are some strategies to help you navigate difficult conversations with your teenager effectively. Generation Next is a fabulous tool with many ideas to support teenagers and parents.
Our Counselling team can be contacted via email:
Counsellingcln@stpeters.vic.edu.au for the Clyde North Campus Counsellingcra@stpeters.vic.edu.au for the Cranbourne Campus
Lana Paten
Sara Cardenas
Student Counsellors
- Clyde North Campus
Nadia Picinali
Gwen Solomou
Student Counsellors
- Cranbourne Campus