Tips for connecting with tween or teen daughters

Melissa Johnson, PhD Adolescent Psychologist, sharse advice for parents on the best methods for connecting with your tween or teenage daughter
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Tips for connecting with tween or teen daughters

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We want to keep those channels of communication with our tweens and teens open. One of the things we often like to do, is share with them our wisdom was have acquired from our lifetime, giving them advice. We all know how that goes, especially as they move into the teen and tween years. So what really works? What really works is being able to listen, be genuinely curious and to validate. Some teens and tweens are not really comfortable sharing about themselves and their inner world. One of the things that I love to do with teens that are very private, is talk about other things. Co-view television together, co-view a movie together, read a book together, and talk about the life experiences of the characters and how they deal with them. That's a great way to connect around values, interests, and concerns; that doesn't leave your teen feeling on the spot and uncomfortable.

Melissa Johnson, PhD Adolescent Psychologist, sharse advice for parents on the best methods for connecting with your tween or teenage daughter

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Melissa Johnson, PhD

Psychologist

Melissa J. Johnson, PhD, licensed psychologist, is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Girl’s Development in Pasadena, CA. An expert in child and teen development, Dr, Johnson holds a master's degree in Education and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Dr. Johnson has worked with children and teens for over 30 years. At the Institute. Dr. Johnson and her team deliver strength-based therapy, inspiring education programs and consultation with schools and districts to help create positive school climates. Dr. Johnson's approach to raising and mentoring youth draws together contemporary research in neuroscience and mind/body health, and evidence based interventions in mindfulness and social and emotional intelligence.

Dr. Johnson was recognized by the State of California with an Outstanding Women in Business award winner in 2011. Dr. Johnson is a former Interim Chair of the Maters Programs in counseling at the University of La Verne and has served as an adjunct faculty member at both the University of La Verve and the University of Southern California. Dr. Jonson is a welcomed local and national speaker. Her peer-reviewed publications have appeared in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology and Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Her numerous articles about raising strong girls have appeared in community online blogs and newsletters.

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Transcription: 
We want to keep those channels of communication with our tweens and teens open. One of the things we often like to do, is share with them our wisdom was have acquired from our lifetime, giving them advice. We all know how that goes, especially as they move into the teen and tween years. So what really works? What really works is being able to listen, be genuinely curious and to validate. Some teens and tweens are not really comfortable sharing about themselves and their inner world. One of the things that I love to do with teens that are very private, is talk about other things. Co-view television together, co-view a movie together, read a book together, and talk about the life experiences of the characters and how they deal with them. That's a great way to connect around values, interests, and concerns; that doesn't leave your teen feeling on the spot and uncomfortable.