#056 How to Get a Positive Response From Your Teen

I have spent a lot of time listening to what frustrates moms. At the top of the list is not being able to communicate to their teens. When I dig down and ask the moms what they mean by this, they say they want an open, authentic, and positive response from their teen. Because if you don’t get a positive response you are not going to have the conversation or the behaviors/results you want. The million-dollar question is, “How do you get a positive response from your teen?” There are many aspects to this question, and here's a big one. John Gottman, PhD (a very well known author, clinician and researcher) states, "94% of the time the way a conversation starts, predicts how it will end." So, how you start a conversation with your teen is going tostrongly influence the response. In this episode we explore the difference between harsh startups and soft startups. You will be given 6 key components to soften your startups. Some of you might be thinking, “This just sounds like too much work…I’m going to just be myself and express myself anyway I want.” You can express yourself anyway you want--- but does it give you the results or responses you want? Yes, being more intentional, and strategic is a little more work . . .but the work is worth it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Colleen O'Grady, MA. is a speaker, trainer and author of the award-winning and best-selling book Dial Down the Drama: Reduce Conflict and Reconnect with Your Teenage Daughter---A Guide for Mothers Everywhere. Colleen shares her wisdom from twenty-five years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist which translates into over 50,000 hours of working with parents and teens. Colleen, known as the parent-teen relationship expert helps you raise the bar of what's possible for the teenage years. Colleen not only knows this professionally she has been a mom in the trenches with her own teenage daughter. You really can improve your relationship with your teen and dial up the joy, peace, and delight at home and work. Every episode is geared to uplift you, give you practical parenting tips that you can apply right away and keep you current on the latest in teen research and trends.