Don't just pretend to listen to them. Kids know the difference. Give Respect Acknowledge and support your children's struggle to grow to maturity. Understand Try to sympathize with what your kids are going through. Remember that when you were their age, your ideas seemed to make sense to you.
All children hate to be lectured to, especially teenagers.
But all kids respond to clear information and direction, most of all when they know that the questions they ask will be answered. The throwing around of useless labels will only confuse the real issues that you wish to address. Discuss Feelings Talk about what you, as a parent, feel and what you need. Allow your child to talk about his or her feelings too. Create Responsibility Give your children choices, not orders.