Creating an environment for better child/parent communication

Change Requires Learning: 

To create changes in relationships, both parents and children/teens need to learn new behaviours and skills.

Teen Brain Differences: The adolescent brain is structurally different from an adult’s, affecting communication and behaviour.

Areas of Change: Teens experience cognitive and emotional changes, risk-taking, contradictions, stress, sleep issues, and tech usage.

Risk and Consequences: Teens often feel invincible, engage in risky behaviours, and may not respond to consequences as adults expect.

Steps for mindful family communication to create a more harmonious and supportive family environment:

Step 1 – Acceptance: Effective communication starts with showing teens you accept both sides of a situation. This isn’t about compromise but about creating a new path together.

What Does the “New Path” Mean?

Not Just Compromise: Instead of each side giving up something to meet in the middle, both work together to find a creative solution that feels right for everyone.

Collaboration: Parents and teens openly discuss their viewpoints, listen to each other, and brainstorm options.

Respect and Acceptance: Both sides feel heard and respected, which builds trust and emotional safety.

Growth Opportunity: The process teaches problem-solving, empathy, and flexibility—skills valuable for both teens and parents.

Step 2 – Validation:

Use balanced language (avoid “always” or “never”; use “sometimes”).

Listen without judgment or blame.

Acknowledge emotional difficulty.

Recognize family dynamics.

Accept that children do their best with their circumstances.

Examples of Validation: “I can see this is really tough for you,” or “It makes sense you’d feel that way given what happened.”
Impact of Validation: When kids feel validated, they’re more open to feedback and change. It builds trust and emotional safety.

Step 3 - Use Mindfulness Exercises to slow down and focus.

Observing your current state.

Your connections between breathing and heart rate, tone and language, patience and responses.

What are your thoughts and feelings at the time?

Check for conflicting needs: me and you, my needs/wishes- your needs/wishes

Keeping this type of communication and behaviours with your children can help maintaining a healthy family dynamic.
Are you are facing challenges in establishing this connection and understanding of each other?

Counselling can provide a supportive and constructive environment.

Call me on 0412 396 644 or email for a chat. I am looking forward to hearing from you.