STAGE 2: Parent Tries to talk to the teen who may be unresponsive

STAGE 2: Parent Tries to talk to the teen who may be unresponsive

A chief feature of the shift in talking to your child before and during adolescence is that it can start to feel like shooting in the dark- in other words very hit and miss. A lot of parents and carers want to know why won’t my teenager talk to me anymore?

Like a lot of things to do with teens the answers can be like fitting together pieces of a complex, always evolving puzzle.

It might seem like only yesterday they loved spending time with you, but nowadays they’re more interested in their friends and mobile phone than being with their family.

You may be wondering how to react when you’ve always encouraged them to think for themselves, but now you fear they aren’t respecting your boundaries- or they may be becoming verbally disrespectful or abusive. And, maybe you’re worried about prying too much into their lives, as you know the importance of giving them space.

Obviously if you have evidence or strong reason to believe your teen may be trying to hide a serious threat to their well-being ask them directly about it and or seek professional advice.

Otherwise it can be helpful to remind yourself what teenagers are going through:

Hormonal changes: During puberty, the brain releases hormones into the bloodstream which cause physical changes in the bodies. These hormones can affect teenagers’ moods, emotions, and impulses – leaving them moody and sometimes unpredictable.

Physical development: As well as dealing with these hormonal changes, your child is also having to deal with the knock-on physical effect this will have on their developing bodies.This may make them self-conscious, embarrassed and perhaps withdrawn at times.

Sleep: And, if you’re annoyed that your child is struggling to get out of bed in the morning, it’s worth remembering that many experts agree teenagers need a lot more sleep as they deal with these changes. Teenage brains secrete melatonin ( the sleep hormone) 4-5 hours later than an adult brain.

Brain development: Developments in the brain may also be the reason behind your teenager’s grouchy, moody and risk-taking behaviour. According to neurologist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, the brain is undergoing a huge amount of change, and these alterations most likely explain some of the typical rebellious behaviours you may be experiencing when parenting teens.

The article below may help with some clues as to how to approach your teen:

How To Connect With A Teen That Doesn’t Want to Talk