Parent-Teen Miscommunication
Doc: “Do your parents know you are sexually active?”
Teen: “I think they know.”
Doc: Why do you think they know?
Teen: Well, they have to suspect by now. So, they should know.
This is the art of miscommunication. This is not a great idea between you and your teen. All kinds of assumptions can occur when this happens, and you miss out on an opportunity to be there as a guiding force.
If you think something may be going on with your teen, ask. Ask them. This is better than calling their doctor and scheduling a surprise visit, or calling the doctor after the visit and asking what your teen may have talked about.
Chances are that your teen wants you to ask, even if they don’t want to show it or seemingly answer your question. Gently poking your nose into their business is a way you actually show you care about what is going on in their life. They want to matter to you. Without this, they are out there on their own, and this creates a feeling of anxiety and fear.
Whether you know the answer to their questions or want to know the answer to your question for them, your presence means something to them. It means they are not alone and that there is someone they can depend on. And that message is worth communicating very clearly to your teen.
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