For some families, finding time for each other can be problematic. A teenager spends seven hours each day at school, an extremely stressful environment. Small desks, crowded halls, seven to eight assignments due the following day form the nucleus of their academic stress. Working in conjunction to this are the emotional and physical changes that have most teens riding a hormonal roller coaster. But there is a positive side to teenage angst.
Daily stresses serve as opportunities for parents to open the door of communication.
For some very important reasons, one of the easiest ways to find the time to talk is during family meals. Family meals guarantee time with your teen. Consistency, a vital part of parenting, is already built in and gives the teen a sense of security. Security promotes safety, and allows them to open up and reveal both the happy and painful times of their day. If your teen is hesitant to open up, begin the conversation by disclosing something in your day.