Use an upbeat tone of voice. The intonation, volume and pitch of your voice can change the whole meaning of your words. Using an upbeat positive tone of voice will get you more attention than using a pessimistic tone of voice.
Use eye contact when listening to your teen. Eye contact shows the person who is speaking that you are interested in what she is saying and encourages more communication.
Smile as much as possible. Research shows that the face is the primary mode of communicating a person's feelings and the act of smiling can even boost a person’s feelings. So when you smile, it will uplift your attitude toward what you and your teen are talking about, as well as your teen’s outlook on what you are saying.
Use open gestures. Avoid finger pointing, crossing your arms and putting your hands on your hips. More positive movements like leaning forward and nodding will encourage your teen to share more about what she is thinking.
Don’t be afraid to touch your teen. Hugs and goodnight kisses are still important, although your teen may wish to be asked first. Hold her hand when she needs to be consoled or give her a pat on the back when you are praising her. These touches convey our unconditional love for our children and should not be stopped just because your teen has gotten older.
Take this article one step further:
