When it comes to leading and raising our teenagers, one thing seems to remain constant: they are often asking questions. These questions may not always be verbalized, but as they grow and their world expands, they are curious and want to know all they can about the things they encounter. Oftentimes, the simple, easy questions that surfaced when they were young can turn into harder, more challenging questions when they are older. These are sometimes questions that we either can’t or don’t want to answer. As parents, we have to build relationships and create an environment that welcomes questions, especially the hard ones. Our teenagers are going to look for answers somewhere, and we want our homes to be safe places to have the conversations we need to have to help them grow in healthy ways. This month, we explore ways to have difficult conversations about difficult things in a way that is helpful and builds the kind of trust and community we all crave.

Not to tell you something you already know, but teenagers don’t always open up on a schedule. Real conversations usually happen in unexpected moments. They happen in the car, at a meal, or late at night. As parents, we need to be ready for these conversations when they come and not be shocked at the questions our teenagers may ask. In this month’s video, we talk about how to build strong relationships, recognize key moments to engage, and create a safe space for both small and big conversations. The way we approach everyday chats determines how open our teens will be when tougher topics arise. You don’t have to have all the answers; you just have to be present, listen well, and seek the truth together. Check out the video to learn some practical tools for navigating meaningful conversations with your teen.

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