Balance Listening and Limits with Storming Teens

How can parents stay loving and detached but still listen when challenged by preteens and new teens? My favorite pediatrician, T Berry Brazelton, advises parents of teens who are being challenged or insulted to say calmly, “I’m interested in what you have to say, but...

Parent–Teen Disagreements Have Positive Results

If you find yourself in frequent arguments with your teen—take heart. According to a newly published study, the right kind of disagreement may help a teen ‘just say no’ to peers when pressured to use drugs or be sexually active. The longitudinal study at the...

The Healing Power of Apologies for Parents and Teens

An apology can bring powerful healing to conflicted relationships. I was privileged to witness this recently in a juvenile diversion mediation. In the mediation for a teen offender and her victims, one thirteen year old girl I’ll call Rebecca took a photo with her...