Letter To The Editor


This was published in the Times Union on Tuesday March 9, 2010.

I read with great interest the recent article on communicating with your teenager. I, along with many parents, find it exasperating to have a conversation our kids. After reading the article, I felt ready to go. At dinner Tuesday night, I decided to give it a try. "How was school today?" I got the usual reply, "fine". "What did you do?". Again I got the usual, "nothing". "What did you have for lunch?" "Food" was the response. It was time to try a new tactic. Using the phrasing I learned from the article, I said "tell me more". His chin lifted slightly from the plate and one eye peered at me from under his bangs. An opening, I thought. I proceeded, "I'm interested in hearing more about your life". Both eyes now peered at me and he stopped shoving the food in his mouth. "Really, Mom...... are you serious?", he replied with his delightful 13 yo boy attitude. He briefly smiled. Two minutes later he finished his dinner and slunk off to text his friends. That went well, I thought. Thank you for the informative and helpful article, but apparently the author hasn't had dinner with a thirteen year old boy recently. I did have a good laugh and for that I am appreciative.

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