2 Hard but Crucial Conversations To Have With Your Teenager

The relationship between mother and teenager is not always easy. Both of you have a lot on your plate, which makes it hard to sit down and have a genuine conversation. It does not help that a lot of important conversations at this age are awkward or uncomfortable. That said, it's important to have those difficult conversations with your kids. Connecting through meaningful dialogue helps strengthen your relationship. When you talk to your kids now, it's easier for them to come to you when difficult situations arise throughout their teenage years. Stay calm, listen openly, and make time for these hard but crucial conversations to have with your teenager

The Money Talk

Talking about finances is not necessarily uncomfortable, but it can feel boring or even pointless - especially for younger teenagers. Still, instilling financial lessons now will help set your child up for success as they enter adulthood. Spend time discussing income, savings, and all the responsibilities that come with having and spending your own money. Keep in mind that the easiest way to learn is through experience. While it's tempting to keep our finances hidden from our kids, leaving them completely in the dark does nothing to prepare them for the future. Your teen does not need to know everything about the family budget, but you can still discuss money strategies together. The more your teen knows about actual finances, the faster they'll learn to spend and save money wisely.

Drugs and Alcohol

Let's face it: you can not always stop your teenager from doing stupid and dangerous things. However, there   are   ways to prepare them for the dangerous situations they might face. While drug and alcohol use is one of the hard but crucial conversations to have with your teenager, the discussion needs to go beyond the substances themselves. Take the time to talk about peer pressure. Make sure your teen knows they can always say no and ask for help. Discuss responsibility and consequences. Relate the dangers of drugs and alcohol. If you simply list statistics and facts, your teen will not always be able to absorb the weight behind it. Instead, talk about what drugs or alcohol could do to them specifically. Maybe they'll lose their spot on the sports team or face the consequences of driving after taking drugs  . Most importantly, you want your teenager to be able to talk to you, even if they do something wrong. When you listen to them actively and without judgment, you let your teen know that they can always trust you.