But here it comes. Just a matter of time before you fall flat on your face. But don't blame your kid. Entering their teen years, kids are forced to deal with an onslaught of social pressures that can leave them feeling isolated and misunderstood. If open lines of communication aren't maintained, these feelings can lead to more serious problems like drugs and gangs.
Psychologists stress the importance of establishing good communication habits as early as possible.
Consider these tips next time you and Beelzebub Jr. sit down for a chat. Give up the home-court advantage. If you want your teens to speak freely, try having the conversation in their room. They'll feel less vulnerable and less defensive in the familiarity of their own space. Resist the temptation to nose around their stuff and try not to sit on anything that hasn't been clinically identified by the Environmental Protection Agency.