Tip #6. Want Teens to Talk? Listen!

I'm Dr. Myrna Shure from Drexel University with today's parenting tip, brought to you by the New Jersey Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee.

Do you worry about where your teen goes, what she does, and with whom?

Do you fear your child might get in with the wrong crowd? Start to smoke? Even try drugs?

You could threaten to ground her if she steps out of bounds - but she may find a way to do what she wants - when you're not looking.

You could ask her directly where she's going, and with whom? But she may think you're intruding on her privacy. And would you know if she's really telling the truth?

Research shows that teens who feel it's safe to tell their parents what they do are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. How can you help your child do this?

• Listen - really listen-to what your child says. Then ask:
• "How do you feel about what you're doing and where you go?"
• "What might happen next?".
• If she's concerned, ask if she can think of something else she can do so she won't feel that way.

Even better, start this before the teen years arrive.

Help you kids feel safe to talk about things important to them now, and they'll likely feel safe to talk about things important to them later.

I'm Dr. Myrna B. Shure.