Let the Youth also do the talking

We cannot deny the fact that young adulthood can be confusing at times and be it the teenage years or the years when we’re adulting, the need to express our concerns and needs only grows. Fostering a good and continuous communication between young adults and their parents or the professionals in their work space is imperative and should be a priority. There are things that the youth wants you to understand, sometimes, they are able to articulate and then there are times when they just cannot. This is the point where either the crevice turns even wider or the gap that seems to be getting widened can be filled up with an open communication, understanding and compassion.

Here’s what the youth consistently want to tell us and want us to keep in mind.

• Continuous, Consistent and Comfortable Communication-These 3 Cs are paramount to the success of a healthy relationship building. Why shy away from expressing? Allow the other person to say what he/she wants to. Listen with compassion and even if it sounds unreasonable to you, ask questions and try and find a middle ground. The youth has so much to say- they’re like a reservoir of emotions and ideas and fostering that will not only take them places, it will also help them be more confident and competent.  There’s nothing that cannot be resolved with effective communication. Lend a patient ear!

 

• Let Them Take the Ownership- The youth is proactive and they know what they want to pursue when it comes to academics. So give them the space to explore what works best for them. You can definitely advise, tell them the merits and demerits, but also learn to trust their knowledge and decisions. As parents, you should work together in pursuing their goals and aspirations and facilitate them in their decision-making.

  

• Stay Open-Minded- Do your best to listen and understand where the youth is coming from- don’t just dismiss them and their point of view. Try to incorporate your ideas and opinions with theirs’ and work together.

 

• Trust Them- Trust is like the building block of any relationship. Parents should show that they trust their kids and only then the relationship with their teenagers or young adults will smoothly sail through. Young adults should also keep their parents updated with what’s going on in their lives. But the onus lies with the parents to open that door of communication first.

 

• It’s Alright to Falter- Remember we all make mistakes. While mistakes don’t define us, they do define the future choices that we make in our lives. Consider it as a part of your learning and development process

 

• Engage With Each Other in Solving Problems- No communication is the worst communication! Talk about the problems and include each other in the process. There can be times when the youth might not want to talk at all, give them the space but also be ready to listen and talk to them when they’re ready. Refrain from showing authority. There should be no power dynamics- only good sense and logic.

 

• Exhibit Respect- Respect is the only thread that weaves the fabric of any relationship. Be respectful! Show that you’re there to share your life experiences with them, advise and guide them.They need to know and understand that your only interest is to help them make good, positive decisions in life.